Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the reauthorisation of chlorothalonil at EU level; and if a position paper has been submitted in relation to the issue to the European Commission in this regard. [2284/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is acutely aware of the importance of chlorothalonil to the cereal producing sector in Ireland, not only as a primary disease control tool but more critically as a resistance management tool, protecting other chemical families from the development of pathogen resistance.
A key issue in the reauthorisation process is a change in the classification for carcinogenicity proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following technical peer review. The ultimate decision on the appropriate classification will be based on an assessment that the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will undertake when a dossier is submitted to it by EFSA. It is important that this process provides for all relevant information to be taken into account in a final decision on classification.
The ability of growers to use chlorothalonil products safely, without endangering themselves, consumers or the environment, and in compliance with regulatory approval criteria will be of primary importance in this process.
My officials have highlighted the importance of this substance in Ireland at meetings of the Standing Committee relating to Plant Protection Products legislation and I have also identified the issue directly with Commissioner Andriukaitis. The EU Commission will give a short update in relation to this issue at the next meeting of the standing committee.
