asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what procedures are in existence to guard against long-term dangers to soil fertility, human and animal health and related matters, from modern farm methods and soil treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farming and Soil Treatment Dangers.
9.
As regards soil fertility, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to his question on 10th December, 1969.
Various aspects of modern farm methods, such as the use of pesticides and other chemicals on crops, the use of drugs in the treatment of animals and the disposal of farm waste, which could involve human and animal health considerations, are under continual review by my Department. In certain cases, existing legislation includes safeguards to control the use of potentially harmful chemicals and drugs. As the Deputy is aware research institutions both here and abroad are also conducting investigations, on a continuing basis, into the problems of environmental contamination arising out of modern farm practices.