asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount of fertilisers used during 1965; and how it compares with previous years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Fertilisers.
34.
As the reply is in tabular form, I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the reply:
The fertiliser year runs from 1st July to 30th June in each year and statistics of consumption are kept in relation to that period and not by calendar years. Estimated consumption of nitrogen, phosphate and potash in the fertiliser years 1962-63, 1963-64 and 1964-65 was as follows:—
|
Year |
Nitrogen Tons (N) |
Phosphate Tons (P) |
Potash Tons (K) |
|
1962-63 |
33,000 |
48,500 |
74,000 |
|
1963-64 |
34,200 |
50,600 |
75,600 |
|
1964-65 |
29,100 |
48,800 |
75,100 |
Is it not true that there has been an alarming drop in the use of fertilisers during the past year and that the Second Programme for Economic Expansion envisages a 25 per cent increase, if we are to reach our target? Will the Minister tell us how we are to feed the extra cattle if there has been an alarming decrease in the use of fertilisers in the past year?
It would not be exactly true to say that there has been an alarming decrease. In one particular fertiliser, nitrogen, there is a decrease of some significance, which is very disappointing indeed. The others are more or less holding their own. I agree that that is not enough and that we should have increased consumption of more fertilisers. We are taking a few measures to try to stimulate consumption of these fertilisers through the advisory service and in one way and another.
There is a 40 per cent drop in tillage and a 20 per cent drop in the use of fertilisers. There was a man called Midas and everything he put his hand to turned to gold. Everything that the Minister puts his hand to turns sour.