Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the decision by the EU Commission and member states not to renew chlorothalonil; the impact this will have on the tillage sector here and farm incomes; the timeline for implementation of this decision; the viable alternatives to this substance that exist for tillage farmers; and the supports available for transitioning. [14876/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The recent decision not to renew chlorothalonil was based on a change in the classification for carcinogenicity proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), following technical peer review, and a number of other critical areas of concern identified by EFSA and Member State scientific experts.

The timeline for implementing the decision will include a grace period of up to a year for distribution and use of existing stocks.

My Department is acutely aware how important chlorothalonil has been for the cereal producing sector in Ireland, not only as a primary disease control tool, but also as a resistance management tool, protecting other chemical families from the development of pathogen resistance. However the ability of growers to use pesticide products safely, without endangering themselves, consumers or the environment, and in compliance with regulatory approval criteria, must always be the primary concern in the approval process of all active substances.

Regarding alternatives, I understand that some new fungicide active substances have recently been approved at EU level, which could offer new disease control options for tillage farmers in the future.