asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has devised a scheme for making fertilisers available to farmers at a cheap price by State subsidy or otherwise, and also for providing long credit terms; and, if so, whether he will keep in mind in any such scheme the more necessitous section of our people, namely, the small farmers living on holdings of very poor quality soil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertilisers and Credit Terms for Farmers.
My aim has been first to obtain the greatest possible quantities of fertilisers of the most important and necessary kinds, so that with ample supplies in the country, competition would have the effect of reducing prices. Substantially increased quantities have been made available this year and prices of phosphatic fertilisers are showing a downward trend.
I am at present considering what further steps can be taken to encourage the use of fertilisers, and if it should be found possible to devise a workable scheme the needs of the more necessitous small farmers will be fully borne in mind.
I assume that the Minister is aware that the price of fertilisers has increased in the West of Ireland this year over those obtaining last year. That being so, I am sure he readily understands that the valuable asset of fertilisers, now being made more freely available for the land, cannot be availed of because of the increased price. Will the Minister examine that matter?
Certainly. I think you will recall that I had occasion to say recently at Longford that I understood an attempt was being made to increase the price of compound fertilisers. I advised farmers, where that attempt was made, to buy their own super, their own potash and their own nitrogen and to mix the manures in their own homes—and to leave the compound fertiliser where it was, until the price came down.
Can the Minister make an announcement, in the near future, of a reduction in the price of fertilisers?
It depends on what fertilisers you refer to. Some are cheaper this year than last year. Nitrogen is about 6d. cheaper. Potash is cheaper.
There is no potash to be had.
There is none available at present.
I got some yesterday.
But you are a friend of the Government.
Ground rock phosphate is cheaper.
Is the Minister aware that superphosphate of lime is £1 per ton dearer now than 12 months ago?
Superphosphate of lime is not controlled in price this year.
Answer the question.
I cannot lead the Fianna Fáil Deputies by the hand to do their shopping with them. They ought to be able to buy super without my showing them how to do so.
You would bring us all down to Ballaghaderreen if you could.