Relevant Matter
Legislation
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020
Specific Details
Diquat Derogation
Intended results
Urgent need to grant an emergency authorisation for the use of Diquat in desiccation of the potato crop. failure to do so will have serious effect on the future viability of the Irish potato industry.
There is considerable potential for the sector to expand particularly in the salad and fresh chip sectors. In addition, the threat of a no trade deal Brexit means the expansion of our seed sector must be a priority, but is also regarded as an opportunity due to our unique plant health status for potato seed production. In this regard, IFA in conjunction with Teagasc and Bord Bia, have led a number of initiatives to develop opportunities in these areas.
IFA is also the lead organiser of the biennial National Potato Conference which endeavours to promote the sector along with providing the latest agronomy and scientific information to address challenges across the industry.
In relation to the actual successful growing and management of the potato crop the desiccation of the potato canopy is critical. It enables growers to stop bulking when tubers reach the desired marketable size and promotes skin set. It also helps reduce the risk of diseases such as late blight, blackleg and virus getting into the potatoes, therefore reducing storage problems or, in the case of seed, carry over to future crops.
Ireland has a wet, humid climate which results in much higher disease pressure (blight, blackleg) on the potato crops than most European countries. In addition, we produce mainly late season varieties in Ireland such as Rooster, which in fact makes up 60% of the area sown. Therefore, Irish potato growers depend more on Diquat then our EU counterparts including mainland UK.
In accordance with Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, there is provision to grant authorisation for emergency use of a plant protection product. In this regard ten EU countries have already granted emergency use for Diquat this season.
Request urgent meeting on this issue
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Tim Cullinan IFA President, Thomas McKeown IFA Potato Chairman, Charlie Doherty and William Monagle Donegal IFA Officers, Pat Farrell IFA Grain Executive
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Micheál Martin
An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)
Charlie McConalogue
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Lower House of the Oireachtas)
Joe McHugh
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Matt Carthy
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paul Kehoe
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Martin Heydon
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Tim Lombard
Senator (Seanad)
Bill Callanan
Chief Inspector (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Dara Calleary
Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)
Michael McGrath
Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)
Barry Cowen
Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)
Michael Creed
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Helen McEntee
Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)
Thomas Byrne
Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)