Vol. 488 No. 7
87 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the nature and extent of the conditions, if any, included as a condition of grant assistance to all private forestry developers in relation to the storage, handling and application of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals or substances. [7078/98]
The forest service of my Department issues guidelines which cover the use of chemicals in the context of the protection of the environment. The forest service has also financed the publication of a manual entitled "Guidelines for the use of herbicides in forestry" which covers safety, herbicides in general use, their application and calibration, and is available to the sector. I have made arrangements to furnish a copy of this publication to the Deputy. The forest service's current operational procedures and standards refer forestry contractors to the health and safety legislation and direct users to be familiar with chemical manufacturer's instructions.
The forest service also supports, through the European Social Fund, training courses for the forestry sector in the use of chemicals. In addition, a code of best forest practice is being prepared within my Department which will cover all forestry operations, including the application, handling, storage and training required in the use of chemicals. Compliance with the code, which I expect will be available by the end of this year, will be a condition of grant-aid for all afforestation projects and will apply equally to the private and public sectors.
