Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2023
87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support a ban on glyphosate (details supplied); if he is aware of the dangers reported about this very controversial pesticide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48968/23]
View answerPesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are assessed centrally at EU level and approved, or not. Plant protection products containing approved active substances are subsequently assessed for specific uses nationally and authorised, or not, using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The EU process to decide whether or not the existing EU-approval of glyphosate can be renewed is ongoing. This approval is due to expire on 15th December 2023. A proposal from the European Commission to renew glyphosate’s approval for ten years is currently being considered.
The Commission’s proposal reflects the outcome of comprehensive assessments and peer review of a very wide range of scientific data by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The process also included the input of Member State technical experts and numerous stakeholders via public consultations.
Based on the findings from this review, which is the most detailed evaluation of a pesticide substance ever performed in the EU, EFSA reported that it had not identified any critical area of concern regarding impacts on the health of humans, animals and the environment. ECHA reported that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogenic substance.
The Commission has referred its proposal for a vote by Member State representatives at an Appeal Committee meeting scheduled for 16th November 2023, following an inconclusive vote on 13th October 2023 at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation. Ireland supported the renewal proposal at that meeting, based on the exceptionally detailed scientific assessments completed by EFSA and ECHA.
The Department will continue to be guided by EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions in this regard.
