Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pesticides Research.

John Bruton

Question:

100 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in view of the fact that no research is being carried out here on the long-term effect on soil structures and soil biodiversity of current levels of fertiliser and pesticide use in agriculture, he will arrange to specially monitor research in other countries with similar soils to ensure that this issue is not neglected in agricultural policy. [15470/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Staff, and particularly Teagasc and university staff, involved in research work on soils and biodiversity, monitor on an ongoing basis relevant research work in other countries and particularly work ongoing in the UK where soils are similar in many respects to Irish soils. They are in regular contact with the leading research workers in these fields in other member states and they benefit from the information gleaned from such contacts.