Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss disparity in cost of fertiliser

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Macra na Feirme, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA), and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The price of fertiliser, and in particular the difference in prices across the country, is a real concern for farmers. According to the CSO, Irish farmers paid more than 140 per cent more for fertiliser last year compared to 2021. Much of the price rises across Europe in recent years have been driven by the rise in gas prices and the war in Ukraine. While gas prices are now falling, there is still a lag in this being translated into reduced fertiliser prices. There is also an overhang of higher priced fertiliser stock in wholesalers.

“While farmers close to the border can benefit from reduced fertiliser prices in Northern Ireland, their counterparts further south are still paying more. And the further south they are the higher the price they face. We are seeing price differences of up to €200 per tonne for urea and around €150 per tonne for calcium ammonium nitrate. The Committee welcomes our stakeholders to discuss this critical matter for our agriculture sector and looks forward to hearing their views.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.