Vol. 545 No. 3
85 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his proposals to deal with the crisis in horticulture where the lack of research in integrated pest control and organic methodologies now leaves growers facing ruin. [30361/01]
Arrangements are being put in place at EU level to ensure the continued availability of plant protection products for essential uses in horticulture. Representatives of growers in Ireland, Teagasc and Bord Glas were asked to identify those uses considered essential. Horticultural research is a function of Teagasc under section 4 of the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988. However, I am aware that NUI Maynooth has also done research in this area, including a project on low input vegetable cropping which was co-funded by my Department under the research stimulus fund between 1996 and 1999.
