Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am acutely aware of the impact rising input costs has on farmers, their families and businesses. This is a period of exceptional challenge and uncertainty for our farm families and I have been working to support them through this period.

The rise in feed and fertiliser prices in the last year has been significant. There are a number of factors at play in the market, including energy prices which remain well above January 2021 levels, and increased global demand, particularly from the big grain-producing countries. Controls of fertiliser exports from large fertiliser-producing countries, increased transport costs and EU-imposed tariffs and duties on certain third country imports are all impacting on prices for feed and fertiliser for farmers. Higher production costs have been an unwelcome feature across all sectors in 2022, with price rises for all the main farm inputs.

To support farmers with appropriate advice, earlier this year, I set up a national fodder and feed security committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Mike Magan, working very closely with Teagasc and its director, Dr. Frank O'Mara, and all the key farm leaders to bring all stakeholders together and ensure appropriate guidance to farmers. Teagasc have also been active in providing advice to farmers.

Over the past year, I have announced a series of targeted interventions for farmers, including support to increase the production of native grain from the tillage sector, as well as a multi-species sward and red clover sward initiative, which thrive with little or no fertiliser application and which, combined, had a total budget allocation of over €12 million to support farmers. In addition, I launched a €56 million fodder support scheme in June to which over 70,000 farmers have applied and which generated payments in the order of €54 million last week. In addition, an advance payment under the 2023 scheme of the order of €30 million will issue before Christmas.

I, along with my officials, will continue to actively engage with the animal feed and fertiliser industries, as well as farmers on this issue over the next period. I will also raise concerns with my European counterparts and the European Commission to ensure there continues to be an adequate supply of fertilisers available.

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