Vol. 212 No. 1
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in view of (1) the monopoly created by the amalgamation of the different fertiliser manufacturers and the resultant steep increase in the cost of fertilisers and
(2) the absolute necessity for the availability of cheap fertilisers to the farming community anxious to carry out their part in the programme of economic expansion, he will remove all obstacles to the unrestricted importation of fertilisers to this country.
The steep increase in fertiliser costs referred to in this Question has taken place in the prices of fertilisers, or raw materials therefor, which are subject to no import restrictions whatsoever. For example, in the case of granular beet compound in which the Deputy has a particular interest, the increase of £2 7s. 6d. mentioned recently in the press must be attributed, in the main, to increases in the import costs of the principal ingredients, viz. sulphate of ammonia and muriate of potash, as also mentioned in the press. In addition, there has been an increase in the import price of phosphate rock, also used in the compound. There are no tariff or quota restrictions on any of these commodities and the question of the removal of any obstacles to their unrestricted importation does not, therefore, arise.
Is there a subsidy on imported fertiliser? If there is no subsidy available on imported fertiliser and there is on the home-manufactured product, then of course it makes it impossible financially.
There is a subsidy on home-manufactured fertiliser.
There is, of, perhaps, £5 per ton, but if there is no subsidy on imported fertiliser, surely the position is that you cannot import it because the price would be wrong?
Farmers or fertiliser agents can import fertiliser from anywhere in the world at the cheapest possible price.
But it would not enjoy a subsidy?
Surely the Minister is mistaken in saying that phosphate rock is a constituent of compound beet fertiliser? Superphosphate manufactured from phosphate rock is a constituent of such a compound and on that there is a tariff levied. Is that not so?
No. Superphosphate is the ingredient certainly. The portion of the £2 7s. 6d. increase per ton accounted for by the superphosphate is 5s. 11d. That is a factor without any doubt.
It is a protected commodity?
No.
You cannot bring in superphosphate free of duty?
There is ample home manufacture, but there is a limited quota for superphosphate to ensure our farmers will get their superphosphate as cheap as any farmers in the world.
But they are not getting it.
