Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
494. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for reviewing the licence for the use of a wood preservative (details supplied) for agricultural activities; the factors that will influence a decision in relation to the product; the stakeholder engagement that will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approval and use of wood preservative products, including creosote products, is regulated under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR - Regulation (EU) 528/2012).
Creosote is currently an approved active substance for use in wood preservative products. The current expiry date of the approval is 31st October 2020. It meets the exclusion criteria for the approval of active substances specified in the regulation but was approved on the basis of a socio-economic derogation provided for in the legislation. Products containing creosote can only be authorised by Member States for use where it is concluded on the basis of a socio-economic analysis that no appropriate alternatives are available. A comparative assessment report of the uses authorised in Member States, including Ireland, was prepared in 2016 and was last updated in 2019. This report was prepared on the basis of extensive feedback from relevant stakeholders regarding the feasibility of using potential alternative products.
Ireland has authorised creosote products for a small number of necessary uses, including the treatment of agricultural fencing by professional users. Current alternatives are not viable replacements and have to be re-applied after a much shorter interval compared to creosote treatments. The suitability of any new alternative products currently in development will be considered in due course.
The EU process for consideration of renewal of approval of creosote for use in wood preservative products is currently ongoing. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on creosote in 2019. This consultation was closed in December 2019 and over 80 submissions were received. These comments are available for viewing on the ECHA website. The EU Commission have proposed to extend the expiry date for the current approval of creosote until the 31 October 2021 in order to allow sufficient time for the examination of all relevant information by the evaluating competent authority and ECHA.
Ireland will fully comply with any new product authorisation conditions that may be specified following this consultation process.
