asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is a fact that the chemical seed dressing used in this country was condemned in England; and if it is a fact that this seed dressing was responsible for the wholesale death of pheasants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chemical Seed Dressings.
18.
I am aware that there is agreement in Britain amongst interested organisations that seed dressings containing dieldrin, aldrin and heptachlor will only be used for dressing autumn and winter wheat where there is a real danger of attack from the wheat bulb fly. I have no evidence that seed dressings containing these chemicals have been responsible for deaths of pheasants.
Do I take it now that the Minister is making some research to ensure that the seed dressing to be used this year will not be as deadly as the one used in the past?
As far as the Minister has gone in this reply he has no evidence that it has caused any injury.
Is the Minister aware that perhaps 50 per cent. of the dual purpose dressing is related to the base dieldrin and that that is the dangerous chemical?
He has no proof of that.
Do I understand the Minister to say he has no evidence that this dressing was destructive to pheasants?
No evidence.
Is the Minister aware that there is just as good a dual purpose dressing which is based on B.H.C. which is not as dangerous and which will do the job just as well?
That is not agreed, I think.