Vol. 473 No. 1
303 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will consider setting maximum residue units in view of the fact that approximately 200 pesticides are currently in use in Ireland with no maximum residue limits set and in view of growing concerns regarding pesticide residues in our food. [24616/96]
The European Communities Act has been and is used as the basis for the introduction of Irish legislation establishing maximum residue limits — MRLs — for pesticides. To date MRLs have been introduced for some 109 pesticides. It is anticipated that the Commission will soon propose the adoption of MRLs for a further 60 pesticides. As part of an ongoing review programme, proposals for MRLs for an additional 37 pesticides are being developed. There is no legislation to permit the establishment of MRLs on a national basis.
