Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has read the recent revised risk assessment by the US Environmental Protection Agency regarding the use of chlorpyrifos, which found that this chemical can lead to serious attention, memory and motor difficulties in children; his views on its continued use in insecticides used here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4929/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Wallace will be reassured to learn that my officials monitor all such regulatory activity in relation to all pesticides.  With respect to the US EPA’s review of chlorpyrifos, and its most recent publication in November of 2016, I can inform the Deputy that my officials had already taken action, resulting in an immediate cessation of its use in Ireland by 31 March 2016.  This action in Ireland was stimulated by issues which arose during the EU review of additional chlorpyrifos data concerning acceptable exposure levels for users.

I would like to take this opportunity to assure the House that my Department will continue to take account of all relevant regulatory developments concerning pesticides and take action where appropriate based on scientifically validated evidence.