Vol. 570 No. 2
546 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if Dúchas will reverse its policy of chemical clearance of rhododendrons at Deery Cunnihy and Gortroe in the National Park, Killarney in view of the commercial value and export potential of rhododendrons and the damage to the environment of the chemicals used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18854/03]
Killarney National Park is managed primarily for nature conservation in accordance with IUCN (World Conservation Union) guidelines on the management of protected areas.
Rhododendron ponticum is an introduced shrub which escaped into the wild and is capable of spreading very vigorously through woodland, bog and heathland. It poses a particularly serious threat to the survival of our native oakwoods by casting dense shade, killing off the ground vegetation and preventing trees such as oak and yew from regenerating. For this reason, a programme of rhododendron clearance has been ongoing in Killarney National Park for many years.
Rhododendron removal is a difficult process. Cutting alone is not sufficient as the cut plant re-grows more vigorously than ever. Cutting therefore needs to be accompanied by herbicide treatment. The preferred treatment is glyphosate which, when used with the correct equipment in the right weather conditions and away from watercourses, is considered safe for operators and has minimal environmental impacts. It is widely used in agriculture in Ireland and is not seen as a threat to human or animal health. It has been in use in Killarney National Park for many years and studies on the aquatic flora and fauna in the lakes adjacent to the clearance areas have never shown any sign of deleterious impact. The limited use of herbicide treatment for this purpose is also generally consistent with a recent OSPAR recommendation on best environmental practice for the use of pesticides on amenity areas.
With regard to the commercial value and export potential of rhododendron, my Department has, as an interim measure, allowed a private company to harvest rhododendron shoots thereby complementing the park's ongoing clearance programme. The company involved has been made aware that this is not a permanent arrangement and advised of my Department's conservation policy regarding the eventual eradication of rhododendron ponticum from the park.
