Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1118. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10543/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of an upward trend in fertiliser prices in recent times. While fertiliser sales here have been steadily increasing over the last decade, there are generally continuing signs of a levelling off in nitrogen sales in recent years.

As a key input in the food production system, my Department will be closely monitoring how the fertiliser market develops in the weeks and months ahead.

In relation to the tillage sector specifically, there has been a significant upward move on grain prices in recent months with opportunities for growers to forward sell at these higher prices. In addition my Department has introduced the following support measures in recent years to help its competitiveness. These include:

- The Straw Incorporation Measure announced at Budget 2021 with a fund of €10m.

- An annual Voluntary Coupled Protein Aid Scheme for growing protein crops with a fund of €3m

- The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) under TAMS II which covers specific areas of investment for tillage farmers with over €23m paid out to date

Being cognisant of the challenges facing the agriculture sector as a whole, both I and my officials will continue to monitor the overall situation.