I call on Leitrim County Council to have a moratorium against the proposed spraying of Insecticide Gypermethrin in any forestry in Cloone or any forestry in any of the county of Leitrim, as the companies involved admits the danger involved to people, livestock and wildlife’s health.
Minutes:
"I call on Leitrim County Council to have a moratorium against the proposed spraying of Insecticide Gypermethrin in any forestry in Cloone or any forestry in any of the county of Leitrim, as the companies involved admits the danger involved to people, livestock and wildlife’s health."
Report by Head of Finance & Water Services
"Leitrim County Council are not the statutory Competent Authority with regards authorisation of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) and therefore have no authority to impose a moratorium against the proposed spraying of Cypermethrin in any forest within the County of Leitrim.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for the authorisation of plant protection products (PPPs) and regulations on their use. PPPs are assessed prior to authorisation on the basis of detailed scientific evaluations conducted in accordance with agreed EU standards and taking account of local agronomic and environmental conditions. DAFM will only authorise PPPs on the basis of robust scientific evidence indicating high levels of protection for human and animal health and the environment.
There is one cypermethrin based product authorised for use in forestry plantations. This authorisation is for the control of pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) in replanted forest sites, where the control of this pest is necessary to keep young tree saplings alive and to keep the forest stand viable.
The application is done by handheld or knapsack sprayers, where a small quantity of product is applied directly onto each sapling. It is carried out by hand in a very targeted manner that minimises exposure of the environment and there is no drift to adjacent properties.
Regulations require users of this product to be professionally trained and they are required to refrain from application within 20 m of watercourses."
Councillor Gerry Dolan said he had received calls from people in Leitrim regarding the spraying of Insecticide Gypermethrin and people who are using this are aware of the dangers of it and he called for a moratorium against the proposed spraying in any forestry in Cloone or any forestry in any of County Leitrim.
Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn and Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion.
Councillor Des Guckian said a lot is unknown about the spray and a scientific body should look at this and make sure it is safe and if not get rid of it.
Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn said she received calls that signage was not put in place to advise people this spraying was taking place and to warn people in this regard.
Mr Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services advised that Leitrim County Council are not the statutory Competent Authority with regards authorisation of Plant Protection Products (and therefore have no authority to impose a moratorium against the proposed spraying of Cypermethrin in any forest within the County of Leitrim.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for the authorisation of plant protection products and regulations on their use. The Irish Forestry Trust have a derogation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for one Cypermethrin based product authorised for use in forestry plantations until 2021. The application is done by handheld or knapsack sprayers, where a small quantity of product is applied directly onto each sapling which minimises exposure of the environment and there is no drift to adjacent properties. Users of this product are professionally trained and they are required to refrain from application within 20 m of watercourses.
Councillor Gerry Dolan proposed a letter issue to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine seeking what regulation has prescribed on them to put out this spray and the name of the particular application applied in this forestry in Cloone.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Enda McGloin said that this was his last official meeting as Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council and he hoped to hold the traditional Cathaoirleach’s dinner before Christmas in Drumshanbo and a visit to the new Distillery with the permission of the new Cathaoirleach. He paid tribute and thanked all Members for all their support and co-operation since he has been elected as Cathaoirleach of Leitrim for the term 2019/2020. He thanked Lar Power, Chief Executive, Management team and all the staff of Leitrim County Council.
Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive thanked the Cathaoirleach, the Elected Members and expressed his satisfaction with the 1st virtual meeting and acknowledged it was very valuable.