Cathal Crowe
Question:177. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to support farmers who are struggling to meet the rising costs of purchasing fertiliser. [6715/22]
View answerThursday, 10 February 2022
Questions (177)
Written answers
I am acutely aware of the impact rising input costs has on farmers, their families and businesses.
The very significant rise in fertiliser prices in the last year and particularly in recent months is particularly concerning. There are a number of factors at play in the market including energy prices which remain well above January 2021 levels. Increased global demand particularly from the big grain-producing countries, controls of fertiliser exports from large fertiliser producing countries, increased transport costs and EU-imposed tariffs and duties on certain Third Country imports are all impacting prices here for our farmers.
I have been following the rising fertiliser price issue closely for the past number of months. In October 2021, I tasked Teagasc to lay out a credible roadmap to assist farmers in the short-term, as well as offering a long-term solution in the move to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser. I launched the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc Ballyhaise on the 26th January. This is a strategy that can ease the price pressure on farmers. It is good for the environment and good for the pocket.
I have raised the issue a number of times at European level too. At the November Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I again raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs. I called on the EU Commission to seriously consider all options to ease the pressure on farmers at this time, including the question of whether the imposition of anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports continues to be appropriate and for this matter to be examined as a priority.
Following the November meeting, I wrote to the EU Commissioner Wojciechowski requesting that the Commissions assessment of the ongoing appropriateness of anti-dumping duties on fertilisers is completed as a matter of priority. The EU Commission responded, on 26th January, to say that they are still collecting information to establish the relevant facts.
In the meantime, Teagasc will continue to work with farmers through the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser campaign to help farmers to adapt to the current fertiliser market and support them to make informed decisions on what is best for them and their farms.
Teagasc has put together a comprehensive information pack for farmers and their advisors - through a compendium of 20 factsheets - to optimise the use of plant nutrients and to help farmers address the challenge of maintaining their farm outputs in the face of rising fertiliser costs and reduced availability.
In addition, a new €1 million initiative by my Department will support the planting of multi-species swards in order to reduce dependence on fertilisers.
A pilot Soil Sampling Programme has also been introduced, which will provide farmers with comprehensive details of the soil health and soil condition of their farm.
As the Deputy can appreciate, Ireland is a relatively small market in respect of fertiliser sales and their usage compared to many of our EU neighbours. As a result, Irish fertiliser companies are price-takers that are dependent on global fertiliser supply and demand. It is to be hoped that we may see a levelling off at least of some of these contributing rising price factors this year. This is not to diminish the pressures being faced by out farmers today, however.
The initiatives I have introduced should support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser. I assure this House that both me and my Department will continue to closely monitor the situation. We will continue to examine all options to ease the burden on farmers in the short and long term.