Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department intends to introduce a ban on a substance (details supplied) being used due to concerns that it may be carcinogenic and do other environmental damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46357/23]
View answerPesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are approved centrally at EU level. Thereafter, plant protection products containing approved active substances are subsequently authorised for specific uses nationally using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The EU process to decide whether or not the current EU-approval of glyphosate can be renewed is ongoing. The current approval is due to expire on 15 December 2023.
Comprehensive assessments and peer review of a very wide range of scientific data have been completed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as part of this process, including the input of Member State technical experts and stakeholders via public consultations.
ECHA reported that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogenic substance and no critical areas of concern were identified by EFSA covering the impact of glyphosate on the health of humans, animals and the environment.
Based on this detailed scientific assessment, the European Commission proposed legislation to renew the approval of glyphosate for ten years. This proposal was voted on by Member State representatives at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation on 13 October 2023.
Ireland supported the Commission’s proposal, based on the exceptionally detailed scientific assessments completed by EFSA and ECHA. However, there was no qualified majority support either in favour of or against the proposal, therefore the Commission will now refer the proposal for another vote by Member State representatives at an Appeal Committee in November.
The Department will continue to be guided by EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions in this regard.
