asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to the wide variation in fertiliser prices at different centres as shown in a publication (name supplied) in January, 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Prices.
3.
The variation in the price of fertilisers as between different areas of the country is primarily due to the fact that, following the marked decline in consumption last year, some merchants were left with considerable stocks on hands. These stocks had been bought in prior to the price increase last spring and could, therefore, be sold at more competitive prices than stocks purchased later in the year. Apart from this, there can, of course, be considerable variations arising from trade factors such as bulk purchases, bagging, delivery charges, and so on.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a variation of £12 a ton in the price of a particular fertiliser in the south-eastern part of the country? What action do his Department take against the merchants who are charging an extra £12 per ton?
There is a free market for the sale of fertilisers. The Department set out in the Farm Bulletin prices obtaining in the following centres: Carlow, Kilmallock, Killarney, Kilkee, New Ross, Clare and Thomastown. Any farmer or retailer can examine this price list and see the variations mentioned by the Deputy. It is up to the farmer who is buying fertiliser in, say, Thomastown to tell the merchant that in Carlow or Kilmallock the price is lower. The Department have been providing this very useful service for many years. It gives these people the opportunity of knowing the price variations throughout the country. There are a number of co-operative groups selling fertilisers, some of which had stocks on hands before the price increased. It is only natural to assume that they are giving some of the benefits to their retailers, and so to the farming community.
I asked the Parliamentary Secretary what action his Department take against a merchant, or do they draw attention to the exorbitant prices being charged?
This is repetition.
We draw it to the retailer's attention through the Farm Bulletin statistics. We have no control over the price of fertilisers. That is the deliberate policy of this Government and is in accordance with the wishes of this House and the farming organisations. As we have no authority, we can only do what we are doing, and that is to set down the prices as compiled by 50 agricultural instructors.