Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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I move amendment No. 28:

In page 52, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:

“Fertiliser Price Transparency and Fairness

7E. (1) The Minister shall make regulations within 60 days of this Act coming into effect to enforce, monitor and review price transparency of all agricultural fertiliser products being sold to farmers, to ensure price stability, equity, and fairness in all parts of the country, so that all farmers including those in rural areas can be assured of products sold at a fair price.”.

Many of my constituents have contacted me about the varying price of fertilisers and how they are being hit pretty hard in terms of the prices charged by the co-ops. I know that the weather has been rough and people may not have been able to spread fertiliser in recent times so farmers are very anxious to do so but were struck by the difference in price. For example, one supplier in County Kildare charged €600 but the co-ops in County Cork charged €800, which left farmers feeling very angry and they asked me to table a motion to that effect. The supplier in County Kildare said that it cost €640 per tonne or urea but that the price included delivery to west Cork. Therefore, this issue needs to be raised and we need some regulation on the pricing of fertiliser.