Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which steps can be taken to alleviate the effect of higher import costs such as fuel costs in the agricultural and fishing sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17546/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the continued high cost of inputs for several farming sectors. Feed prices and fuel costs have been high for well over a year, although feed costs are now lower than in early 2011. The Government is seeking to alleviate the burden on farmers through applying an additional allowance for farmers in relation to green diesel, as announced in the budget in December.

High Commodity prices are a worldwide phenomenon. This is due to a number of factors, such as increased demand in developing countries, severe drought in some cereal growing regions, increased biofuel production and increased speculation in commodity markets. I am hopeful that measures implemented as a result of proposals from the G20 group of countries, such as the Agriculture Markets Information System, will provide more accurate information as to the causes of continued high prices. This in turn will facilitate more effective interventions to counter market volatility and stabilise commodity prices in the future.