Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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I welcome the farm organisations before us. We know the massive price differences that exist. We are talking about the difference between the UK and Ireland but there was a pretty big difference within Ireland on the Republic side of it, in respect of the farmers of Cork South-West anyway. They let me know in no uncertain terms they were being asked to pay incredible prices in comparison to places like Kildare. It was shocking earlier in the year. Things have levelled out some bit, which is most welcome. We talk of blaming the war but prices were on the rise in 2021. I did not know if it is altogether the war we can point the finger at. The prices of fuel have gone down. Urea in the UK costs €529 per tonne; in Ireland it cost €800 to €850 and is now down to €650. It is still dearer. Why is that? We need transparency. Farmers need to know. Dairy farmers are struggling, as well as suckler and sheep farmers. They need to know what is going on in terms of margins, price gouging, unfair practices and the profits being made.

Do the organisations agree with the Minister when it looks like he does not intend to investigate what is going on in the fertiliser market? Do they think the consumer protection agency should carry out an investigation? The astonishing price differences are unfair. I was talking to a lady on the phone a while ago. She said her son is out all night. He has two young children. He is working – pardon my language – his butt off and struggling to survive as a dairy farmer. She has serious concerns about her son who is married with young kids. He is working all the hour God sends and very little profit is to be made after all that work. Fertiliser at current prices is putting extra stress and strain. It was savage last year. This year, there are a lot of unfair differences and I do not think the Minister is right to walk away from this. I think the consumer protection agency should investigate this. What are the witnesses’ thoughts?