FARMERS WITH ‘APPROPRIATE TRAINING’ WOULD NOT USE GLYPHOSATE SPRAYS ON A WINDY DAY

Waterford City and County Council Environmental Officer, Ray Moloney has told the council that those with ‘appropriate training’ would not be using glyphosate sprays on a windy day.

The topic of incorrect agricultural use of glyphosate, which is a systemic herbicide and crop desiccant used most commonly in spray form in the agricultural industry, was raised at the Dungarvan Lismore area council meeting this week following queries posed by Councillor Conor D. McGuinness regarding the recourse individuals affected by incorrect use of such sprays may have.

“We know that weed killer needs to be used on occasion in terms of land management and in most cases, it is used very safely by users who have undergone training and gotten certification to use glyphosate. But what recourse would people have if glyphosate was being used in very close proximity to their home or to their business?” Cllr McGuinness asked.

Cllr Tom Cronin claimed that under modern farming methods, ‘you can not properly farm’ without the use of such sprays.

“I would be careful about that and I do know that the agricultural sector across all parts of this country would be using sprays. They are qualified, you have to do courses and what-not now before you can go spraying and I wouldn’t like anyone getting the idea that farmers are not using the sprays the way they should be used,” Cllr Cronin said.

He went on to note the need to maximise crop yields through the use of such sprays, noting that EEC guidelines introduced saw many sprays banned, with those remaining in use being only allowed with the compliance of legislation brought in through the European Parliament.

‘MIGHT AS WELL CLOSE DOWN THE WHOLE COUNTRY..’

Sentiments expressed by Cllr Cronin were agreed with by Cllr Seamus O’Donnell.

“If this is going to be allowed to happen that farmers can’t put sprays on their tillage, we might as well close down the whole country altogether,” Cllr O’Donnell added.

While a heated discussion broke out regarding the nature of Cllr McGuinness’s query, Cllr McGuinness essentially agreed that glyphosate is an ‘important part of land agriculture’ and clarified that his question was regarding if an individual believed such sprays were being used incorrectly, what recourse that individual may then have.

Environmental officer, Ray Moloney, outlined that glyphosate is a product licensed by the EU and therefore can only be used by those trained to do so.

“I would suggest that a person with appropriate training in its use should not be spraying it on a windy day. In terms of what recourse they have, I am not aware of any particular recourse, but I will examine it and will revert directly to you,” Mr Moloney said.