Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1259.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he recently signed a Ministerial order directing companies involved in pest control to take out the toxic product that kills rodents and replace it with a non-toxic poison (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34962/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Approval and use of rodenticides in Ireland are regulated under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR - Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) which has been given effect in Irish law by S.I. No. 427/2013. The regulatory process is based on EU-harmonised guidance and decision-making criteria and involves Member State competent authorities and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The active substance(s) contained in products are subject to an EU approval process by ECHA and the Member States. Subsequently, products containing these active substances are authorised or not for specific uses in the Member State. The authorisation may specify strict mitigation measures based on the agreed EU criteria and active substance approval, to protect human health and the environment, to minimise potential impacts on wildlife and prevent the development of resistance to the rodenticide.

In Ireland, pursuant to S.I. No. 427/2013, all rodenticide products are authorised by my Department before they can be made available for sale and use. The conditions of use and the risk mitigation measures based on the agreed EU criteria and decision applied to different products vary and certain products are restricted to use only by professional and/or trained professional users.

There are a number of rodenticide products authorised in Ireland for a range of important purposes, such as public safety and food hygiene. Details of these authorised products can be found on the Department’s website (www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie).

My Department recognises the importance of responsible, sustainable use of rodenticides therefore rodent infestations should be controlled based upon an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach which includes using rodenticides in accordance with best practice and in accordance with the product authorisation as outlined in the approved label instructions.