Vol. 536 No. 4
107 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider requiring those using pesticides in agriculture to record the quantity and the time of year when such pesticides are used in order to facilitate research on possible adverse health effects arising either from proximity to the area in which the pesticides are used, or from consumption of the food produced with the aid of these pesticides. [14480/01]
Users of pesticides are required to comply with the product label which specifies requirements as regards the timing and correct application of pesticides. There is controlling legislation in place to monitor this. In addition, many farmers participate in various quality assurance schemes under An Bord Glas, which require, for audit purposes, the recording of the type of information indicated.
108 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if any research is being conducted on the long-term effect on soil structure and on the organisms that maintain soil fertility of the current levels of local usage of pesticides and artificial fertiliser. [14481/01]
No research is being carried out in Ireland on this issue because of the difficulty in retaining research land in the longer term, as it is commonly required for other purposes. In fact, most international research has been confined to the short-term, namely some three years, for the same reason. Results in the short term have not indicated any significant adverse effects from the use of artificial fertilisers on the above issues. However, it appears that in the long-term the use of ammonium sulphate which has an acidifying effect on the soil can impact on sensitive organisms. The use of this fertiliser has declined enormously in recent years.
With respect to pesticides, the rates of use in Ireland are moderate by international standards, so any adverse effects arising are only temporary, generally for one season. Furthermore any adverse effects are further alleviated by the fact that, with the advent of modern pesticides, most of the toxic materials such as organo-chlorines, insecticides, and copper-based fungicides have been replaced.
