Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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971. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 28 November 2017, his plans to review a decision to allow pre-harvest spraying of crops in 2016 with glyphosate products; if he has had engagement with the Department of Health or otherwise in the context of the sale of glyphosate in consumer stores in view of the court case in the US regarding a branded glyphosate product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Regulatory decisions on the approval and use of pesticides are based on the scientific consensus view of all the relevant technical information from all sources. My Department is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for the authorisation of Plant Protection Products (PPPs).

Experts from a range of specialised scientific disciplines engage with scientific experts in other Member States, with other Competent Authorities, with EU regulatory bodies and also with experts in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in relation to the approval of Plant Protection Products. Information and opinions from other bodies would be carefully considered where relevant.

Regarding the use of plant protection products containing glyphosate in Ireland, I continue to be guided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), who have both concluded, on the basis of extensive reviews involving public consultation, that glyphosate can be used safely without putting consumers or users at risk. The EFSA review included an assessment of potential dietary exposure that could result from pre-harvest use.

My Department will continue to monitor international peer reviewed scientific evidence and the guidance provided by EFSA and ECHA.