Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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697. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process involved in the approval of new pesticide products for agricultural use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7160/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Pesticide active substances contained in plant protection products (PPPs) are approved centrally at EU level based on detailed scientific assessments prepared by Member State authorities and a rigorous peer review process managed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

New PPPs containing EU-approved active substances are subsequently authorised, or not, nationally, in accordance with evaluation and decision-making criteria agreed at EU level, taking account of local agri-environmental conditions and the requirements of the EU zonal system for PPP authorisation.

This system divides the EU into three regulatory zones (Northern Zone, Central Zone, Southern Zone), with Ireland being part of the Central Zone. It provides for the assessment of an application by one Member State in a zone on behalf of other Member States in that zone, who can subsequently decide whether or not to mutually recognise the primary authorisation.

A company wishing to obtain an authorisation for a new PPP makes an application to the competent authority of the Member States in which they wish to market the product. Applications for the Irish market are managed by my Department, which is the national competent authority for pesticides. My officials liaise closely with the applicant and advise on the requirements for the specific application type in accordance with the EU regulatory framework.

In cases where a detailed technical risk assessment of the scientific data is required, this is carried out by Department experts, taking account of peer-reviewed data provided by other Member State experts. Based on the outcome of the assessment and taking risk management criteria into account the product is authorised with specific label instructions and appropriate risk mitigation measures where warranted. Once the authorisation is issued by my Department the product can be placed on the market and used in accordance with the label instructions. If a negative outcome is reached, the product is not allowed on the Irish market.

Further details are available on the Department’s pesticides website: www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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698. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a reasonable and fair turnaround time recognised by his Department for the adjudication of applications for new pesticide products; if early decisions on licensing applications for new pesticide products should be the guiding policy of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7162/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department implements an integrated scheduling system for applicants seeking authorisation to place plant protection products (pesticides and biocides) on the Irish market. This work includes processing and technical evaluation of applications for authorisation of new products and applications for re-authorisation of existing products. Department officials liaise closely with each applicant regarding their specific priorities for product applications and always aim to ensure that applicants are treated consistently and in an equitable manner.

Evaluation of product applications is planned taking account of regulatory deadlines set at EU level which are challenging, and priorities agreed with other Member States with whom we cooperate with on evaluations.

Short and long-term priorities are reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjustments are made where appropriate, for example, in cases where product applications are withdrawn.

My Department will continue to take a flexible approach to ensure best use of resources and accommodate requests for authorisations of new products to the maximum extent possible.