Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the circumstances when his Department would authorise the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on agricultural land.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: Pesticides, including neonicotinoid pesticides, are only granted authorisation following a rigorous assessment of safety, including risks to human health and the environment, including biodiversity. All approvals are also subject to periodic review.
Acetamiprid is the only neonicotinoid approved as an active substance in the EU which can be included in pesticides authorised for the use in NI. The usage of pesticide products containing acetamiprid and other, now banned neonicotinoids, by NI growers has been low.
My Department’s policy on the authorisation of neonicotinoids for use on agricultural land will continue to be guided by science and a rigorous assessment of safety and any risks.
ENDS
Your MLA 