To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on her Department's work to phase out the use of glyphosate-based herbicides for weed control on the road network and verges, through addressing ongoing actions in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

My Department supports the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan through ongoing actions aimed at phasing out pesticide use on transport networks. Officials are taking this forward with our counterparts in DAERA aligning with the technical guidelines for maintaining roadsides for pollinators and participating in the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme.

Alternative treatment options like the use of mechanical weed control, biological controls and organic mulches amongst others are reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of my Department’s drive for continuous improvement.

My Department continues to implement and promote its policy on roadside verge management (grass cutting), placing a greater emphasis on environmental protection and enhancement. The new policy means reducing grass cutting to increase the environmental value of road verges by promoting rewilding and improving the available biodiversity resource.

The policy was reviewed and introduced in 2022 with support from Ulster Wildlife https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/verge-management-%28grass-cutting%29-dem-193-22.pdf