asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reason for the increase in the prices of artificial manures, amounting to an increase of £3 12s. 6d. a ton in the case of special potato manure and an increase of £1 a ton in the case of superphosphate over the corresponding prices for last season, and if he will consider making these fertilisers available to farmers at a cheaper rate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Prices.
The raw materials used in the manufacture of special potato manure have increased in price since last year.
I do not, however, consider that an increase of £3 12s. 6d. per ton over last year's price in County Waterford is justified, as the net cash wholesale price ex-factory is £13 15s. 0d. per ton.
There is also no good reason why superphosphate should be £1 dearer in Waterford. The net wholesale cash price ex Cork or Dublin factories is £8 15s. 9d. per ton.
In view of the largely increased supplies in sight for 1949, it was decided to withdraw controls on artificial fertilisers. The manufacturers then reverted to their pre-war practice of quoting prices ex factory, to which have to be added transport charges and merchant's profit. This is the reason for the varying prices being charged in different parts of the country. I have made it clear in numerous public statements that farmers should make themselves familiar with the ex factory prices of the various straight manures and compounds which are on offer this year and thus be in a position to judge whether they are being charged reasonable prices.
The prices of phosphatic fertilisers are in most areas below those ruling last year, and I hope that the competition provoked by more plentiful supplies will cause a further all-round reduction. I shall do everything in my power along these lines to reduce the cost to the farmer.
Surely the mere fact of making themselves familiar with the price ex-merchant is not going to result in a reduced cost to themselves?
The best method of reducing an excessive price is to tell the shopkeeper to keep his merchandise, and if the farmers of this country have the good sense consistently to refuse to pay excessive prices, prices will come down. I guarantee that to the Deputy.
But where will they get the commodity they require?
There is a greater quantity available this year than in any year since 1939, and next year there will be more and more and more.
In view of the grave concern which the increased cost of fertilisers is causing farmers, and, in particular, the farmers engaged in the intensive growing of potatoes for seed, does the Minister not consider it necessary to fix a price for fertilisers and so give them some relief?
If the Deputy is seeking to create the impression that excessive prices are justified, I want to assure him that they are not. The facts are that 35 per cent. superphosphate last season was £11 per ton ex-railway or canal station. This year the wholesale price of Irish superphosphate is £9 5s. od. per ton ex-store. The wholesale price of superphosphate in bulk from abroad was £7 12s. 6d. per ton c.i.f. Dublin; the buyer supplying the bags it would work out at £8 12s. 6d. It is the duty of farmers when they go to buy their super to get from the shopkeeper who asks them for an excessive differential over those prices the reason why he asks it and to refuse to buy it if the shopkeeper tries to get it out of them. There are other sources of supply and the Deputy would be very much better employed familiarising himself with alternative sources of supply and telling his constituents what they are, than asking mischievous questions in this House.
That is an impertinent remark.
If a farmer goes to the merchant from whom he is used to getting manure and tells him what the Minister has said and is refused, will the Minister tell that farmer where he will get his artificial manure?
Comhlucht Siúicre na hÉireann—did the Deputy ever hear tell of it?
Is the Minister aware that the Irish Sugar Company have only a limited amount of manure?
It amazes me to hear the Deputy, with his special knowledge of the circumstances of that company, say that. If he does not know, he ought to know, that they have an abundant supply of phosphatic manures which they are ready and willing to sell to the farmers. If Deputy Killilea desires to conceal that fact, is it any wonder that Deputy Ormonde's neighbours have not heard of it?
The Minister is talking in riddles.
It is the living truth. Write to Comhlucht Siúicre na hÉireann and ask for phosphatic manures.