Pat Upton
Ceist:50 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the provisions, if any, which he has taken to protect the public from the toxic effects of pesticides.
Written Answers. - Agriculture Pesticides.
A number of statutory measures are operated by my Department regarding public protection from use of agricultural pesticides.
Under the European Communities (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Pesticides) Regulations, 1985 to 1992, conditions are prescribed to safeguard the health of the people handling or using a pesticide and to protect against damage to the environment. A pesticide may not be sold on the market unless it has obtained clearance under the regulations.
Maximum levels of pesticide residues are prescribed for a number of areas as a direct protection for the consumer. The relevant regulations are the European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations, 1989; the European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Foodstuffs of Animal Origin) Regulations, 1988; the European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Cereals) Regulations, 1988 and the European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Feedstuffs) Regulations, 1992.
Regulations are also in operation to prohibit the marketing and use of pesticides which have been found to present unacceptable hazards to human health and/or to the environment. For example, the marketing or use of aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, mercury compounds and others have been prohibited under the European Communities (Prohibition of Certain Active Substances in Plant Protection Products) Regulations, 1981 to 1990.
The overall position relating to pesticide use is continuously monitored both nationally and within the EC. Controls are introduced as necessary in the light of the scientific evidence available.