Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding tillage farming. [40573/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is acutely aware of the importance of chlorothalonil (the active substance in the product referred to) to the cereal producing sector in Ireland, not only as a primary disease control tool but more critically as a resistance management tool, protecting other chemical families from the development of pathogen resistance.

A key issue is a change in the classification for carcinogenicity proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based on the outcome of the technical peer review consultation that it held with Member State experts. The ultimate decision on the appropriate classification will be based on an assessment that the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will undertake when a dossier is submitted to it. It is important that this process provides for all relevant information to be taken into account in a final decision on classification.

The ability of growers to use chlorothalonil products safely, without endangering themselves, consumers or the environment, and in compliance with regulatory approval criteria will be of primary importance in this process.