Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1668.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made to find suitable replacements for potato desiccants such as diquat; the results to date as to their effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32109/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the deputy is aware, my Department is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for the authorisation of plant protection products and for the implementation of official controls relating to the placing on the market and use of these products.

There are several products, containing the active substances carfentrazone-ethyl or pyraflufen-ethyl which are currently authorised in Ireland for use as potato crop desiccants. These products can provide a viable alternative to diquat in certain cases, when used as part of an integrated crop management approach. My Department also provides support for haulm toppers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).

Teagasc carried out extensive work on desiccation strategies for potato crops in Ireland and continues to engage with growers on how best to manage crops using an integrated approach where feasible. Despite some difficult weather conditions, good progress has been made by growers in using alternative growing methods and products and my department will continue to support the sector in this regard.

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