Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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493. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to address his obligations under the Sustainable use of Pesticides Directive (2009/128/EC) regarding the tillage sector. [21335/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset it is important to acknowledge that pesticide use in Ireland is relatively low compared to many EU Member States and Ireland is making good progress in reducing chemical pesticide use as measured by EU indicators.

My Department has put in place a range of measures to achieve more sustainable use of pesticides in Ireland as required by Directive 2009/128/EC. These measures are detailed in Ireland’s National Action Plan for the sustainable use of pesticides.

The measures cover a broad range of areas all of which are relevant to the tillage sector, including (i) training/exchange of information, (ii) controls on application equipment, (iii) controls on storage, supply and disposal of pesticides, (iv) controls on use of pesticides in specified areas and (v) Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Supporting the implementation of IPM practices is a particularly important component of efforts to help the tillage sector achieve more sustainable use of pesticides. Various guidance notes on IPM have been developed for the sector and my Department works closely with Teagasc to ensure that up-to-date and reliable information is provided to farmers.

My Department also continues to fund research in this area, including the development of crop-specific rules to assist IPM implementation under Irish agri-environmental conditions. Furthermore, we provide various financial supports, including funding under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), for equipment to reduce pesticide use, such as heavy rollers and haulm toppers.

We continue to work with the sector to meet the targets for reduced pesticide use as set out in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.