Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
785. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the alternative products that are available in response to the banning of plastic used to cover maize; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43460/21]
View answerThe provisions of Council Directive 2019/904, known as the Single Use Plastic Directive, were signed into Irish law by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Communications in SI 326 of 2021 on 2nd July 2021. The provisions of these Regulations prohibit the marketing of single use plastics from the 3rd July 2021. This includes films of the type used to sow covered maize.
Helpfully, maize growers may use existing stocks of maize plastic present on their farms that were purchased prior to the commencement of this legislation.
I understand that the sector continues in its efforts to develop alternative products for use in the sowing of maize that will be compliant with these new Regulations.
I and officials in my Department, will continue to engage with the sector along with our counterparts in the Department of the Environment, Climate Change and Communications.
In parallel, in terms of support for the sector, my Department re-commenced Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials for uncovered maize, in 2020 as a means to identify varieties better suited to Irish growing conditions and which do not require plastic covering. This work will build on the 2015 Uncovered Recommended List in which a high performing variety was identified and which is available on the Irish market for growers.
