Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1361. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the World Health Organization said last year that pre-harvest desiccation with glyphosate, as recommended by Teagasc, is probably carcinogenic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41323/16]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1362. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that glyphosate has been linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, is a suspected endocrine disrupter and that it is banned in 11 countries, including France and the Netherlands. [41324/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1361 and 1362 together.

My Department is aware of the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) report on glyphosate which had classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans. However, we are also aware that another World Health Organization affiliate, the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues, does not concur with the view of the IARC and concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans exposed via the diet.

The conclusion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the regulatory authorities of other OECD countries is based on a large data set of high reliability and quality identifies that glyphosate can be used safely. Indeed, in addition to the EU conclusions on glyphosate, the authorities of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all published their reviews on glyphosate since 2015, concluding that glyphosate is probably not carcinogenic to humans and they do not intend imposing any additional conditions on the continued use of glyphosate. A further review of glyphosate by the European Chemicals Agency is currently on-going. This review will consider the classification of the active substance and should be available in the later part of 2017. The EU approval of glyphosate will be further considered when this review is available and my Department will base any future decisions on glyphosate on the EU approval decision.

While there is a greater necessity for crop desiccation in both the UK and Ireland due to our damp maritime climatic conditions and the practice is proven to be safe, it has been decided to discontinue the practice in cereal crops from 2017 and restrict pre-harvest application of glyphosate to that which is necessary to achieve the control of problematic weeds. This decision will be kept under review.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1363. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the origin of the advice from Teagasc to farmers to engage in pre-harvest desiccation for all varieties of wheat, oats, barley, peas, oilseed rape and linseed. [41325/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Teagasc has a significant role in advising farmers in all aspects of agricultural production, including the cultivation of crops. To that end, Teagasc offer an advisory service tailored to each individual farmers requirements and this is attached to the payment of an annual fee.  Advice in the area of crop production is very much customised to each distinctly different growing situation.  As such, while there are general blueprints for the successful growing of crops produced by Teagasc, such as “The Spring Barley Guide 2015” and “The Winter Wheat Guide 2016”, there is no generalised recommendation or advice proffered for issues around disease control or crop desiccation and each individual crop/field scenario is assessed on its own merits and resulting advice is customised.

 There is a greater necessity for crop desiccation in both the UK and Ireland due to our damp maritime climatic conditions and while the practice is proven to be completely safe, it has been decided to discontinue the practice in cereal crops from 2017 and restrict pre-harvest application of glyphosate to that which is necessary to achieve the control of problematic weeds. This decision will be kept under review.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the prevalence of the use of glyphosate here and if he has concerns regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41326/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide being first commercialised in the mid 1970s and is now registered worldwide. It is used in agriculture, forestry, industrial, home & garden, and semi aquatic areas. While glyphosate is primarily used as a means of total weed control prior to the establishment of field crops, it is also quite important in the re-establishment of forestry plantations and also in the whole amenity sector, in the maintenance of municipal and public areas and by private gardeners. Currently, there is no alternative active substance with similar scope, purpose and safety profile. Annual use of glyphosate is approximately 800,000kg.

The EU review of glyphosate supported by reviews completed by authorities around the world support the position that use of glyphosate is safe, therefore it continues to be registered for use in the EU.