asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in relation to supplies of artificial manures for the coming season: (a) the total quantity, guaranteed analysis and price per ton of phosphates, potash and nitrogenous manure likely to be available; (b) the quantity, guaranteed analysis and price of sugar beet manure available; (c) the basis on which supplies will be distributed to the farmers; and (d) the amount of subsidy paid per ton in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Artificial Manure Supplies.
It is anticipated that a minimum quantity of 45,000 tons of artificial fertilisers will be available this season, consisting of 28,000 tons of 30 per cent. superphosphate and 17,000 tons of 1943 compound fertiliser. The guaranteed analysis of 30 per cent. superphosphate is 30 per cent. soluble phosphate and the guaranteed analysis of 1943 compound fertiliser is 20 per cent. soluble phosphate, 2 per cent. citric acid soluble phosphate, 2 per cent. insoluble phosphate, 2½ per cent. nitrogen and 1 per cent. potash. The price of 30 per cent. superphosphate is £13 per ton and the price of 1943 compound fertiliser £14 per ton, ex railway or canal station nearest to the premises of the vendor. 30 per cent. superphosphate will be distributed through the usual trade channels on the basis of one ton against each ton of emergency compound fertiliser supplied to farmers in the 1942 season. Compound fertiliser will be supplied to farmers who have contracts for the growing of sugar beet on the basis of four cwts. to each statute acre under this crop. About 5,000 tons of 1943 compound fertiliser will be reserved for seed production and for allotments. The exact amount of the subsidy per ton in respect of each class of fertilisers cannot be determined until the end of the manufacturing season.
Has the Minister any idea of what the approximate amount will be?
I should not like to say that at the moment.