Mr. Brian Rushe:

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the invitation to speak to the committee. I am joined by Mr. Karol Kissane and Mr. Max Potterton. In 2021, according to the most recent statistics we have, fertiliser accounted for 16% of direct costs across all farms and sectors, but in the tillage sector, it accounted for 30% of direct costs. Last year, €1.2 billion was spent on fertiliser by Irish farmers, which is up €600 million on 2021. Since its peak, the price of gas has come down 80% to where it is today. In the same period, fertiliser in the UK has come down 50% and fertiliser in France has reduced by the same amount, but in Ireland, it has only reduced by 10%. I will reiterate that since gas prices peaked, they have come down 80%. The price of fertiliser in the UK and Europe has reduced by 50%, but in Ireland, it has only reduced by 10%. This week, there is €130 of a difference in the price of calcium ammonium nitrate, CAN, between the north west and the south west of the country. Thus, there are also massive regional disparities. Earlier in the spring, there was a difference of between €250 and €300 between Northern Ireland and the South.