‘Science says glyphosate is safe’

What is MagGrow’s position on the glyphosate debate?

I am always guided by science, and the science tells us that glyphosate is not a proven carcinogen.

We have major challenges to meet in terms of worldwide food production; in the next 30-40 years as a planet we have to grow as much food as we did in the 1000 years before that.

If we ban glyphosate a replacement might not be available for 10 years — that’s how long it takes to get a proven and safe product to market. The trick is to reduce drift and get the chemical to the target, which is where we can help.

Who has had the most impact on you as a leader?

I’d say Peter Dowling, who was CEO of Loctite where I started out. He just had a great way of managing people; he knew when to put an arm around a shoulder and when to motivate. I learned a lot from him as a young graduate. What would turn you off hiring a graduate? A lack of drive and work ethic. You can’t teach it, and it doesn’t bode well for future performance.

Finally, will we have an election before Christmas?

I hope not! My hunch is that the leaders of Fine Gael and Fine Fail will sort it out.

I think we will get another six months from this Government and then it will have served its natural lifetime.

There’s too many important Brexit deadlines coming up to mess around now.