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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 1989

Vol. 388 No. 8

Written Answers. - Use of Growth Regulatory Products.

57.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in view of the international alarm over the use on apples and potatoes of growth regulatory sprays which use Daminozide as an active ingredient and their alleged carinogenic properties, if he will outline the Government's position on their continued use and advice to Irish farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

58.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a spray commonly used on apples and other fruit and/or vegetables in Europe and the United States is being used in this country; if so, the extent to which it is used; if he is aware that this product is about to be banned in the United States; if he will take similar action in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.

There are four products containing Daminozide which can be legally marketed under the terms of the European Communities (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Pesticides) Regulations. Only two of these products are currently on sale in this country under the product names Alar and Dazide. Under the EC Regulations, my Department cannot ban any of the products until evaluation of dossiers submitted as applications for clearance to place on the market is completed.The results of studies currently under way are an integral part of this evaluation. While these products can be used on apples and pears, my information is that they are little if at all used on food crops in this country but are mainly used on ornamental horticultural products.

I am aware that the US Environmental Protection Agency proposes to ban Daminozide in May 1989 but the ban would not take effect before the spring of 1990, pending the results of ongoing studies. This matter is also under examination by the EC Commission.

In the meantime contact is being made with the distributors of the products about the desirability of discontinuing sales or selling only for specific purposes pending the final outcome of tests. My Department is asking Teagasc to formulate a suitable advice programme for growers as a matter of urgency.

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