Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
774. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has conducted research into possible health effects of the use of Roundup, which contains glyphosate; and if he intends on extending the licence renewal for roundup. [40209/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority in Ireland for the regulatory evaluation of pesticides and enforcement of controls on their use.
The regulatory evaluation procedure is a two-step process, in which pesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are first assessed centrally at EU level and approved, or not. Plant protection products containing approved active substances are then subsequently assessed at national level for specific uses and authorised, or not, using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The regulatory evaluation role undertaken by national competent authorities, including by my Department, involves the assessment of detailed scientific data submitted by applicants to satisfy data requirements specified in EU legislation, rather than conducting separate research on pesticides. Applicants are legally obliged to provide all pertinent information, which must always include relevant research data published in the scientific literature.
The EU process to decide whether or not the current EU-approval of glyphosate can be renewed is ongoing. The current approval is due to expire on 15th December 2023.
Comprehensive assessments and peer review of a very wide range of scientific data have been completed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as part of this process, including the input of Member State technical experts and public consultations.
The European Commission is currently considering the outcome of the EU-assessment process and is preparing a legislative proposal on whether or not to renew approval for glyphosate. The proposal will be voted on by Member State representatives at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation.
My Department will finalise its position based on the specific details in the proposal put forward for a vote and taking account of EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions, as it does for all pesticide active substances. Plant protection products containing glyphosate could only be considered for subsequent re-authorisation nationally if the EU-approval of glyphosate were to be renewed before the current approval expires.
