Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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668. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to the recently published European Union soil strategy for 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60185/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department broadly welcomes the European Union soils strategy and fully supports the vision of the strategy to achieve healthy soil ecosystems by 2050. Many of the objectives and actions are in line with existing policy and targets including the EU Biodiversity strategy 2030, the Climate adaption plan, along with the Common Agricultural Policy. The recently launched National Soil Sampling programme will provide detailed soil analysis which will allow farmers to adopt sustainable soil management practices, in order to maintain or restore soil to a healthy condition, as described in the strategy. We will continue to engage with our colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications who are the lead government department in this matter.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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669. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to increased fertiliser and dairy meal costs (details supplied); the actions he and his officials are taking to ease the situation; if he held meetings with groups in relation to these agricultural price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60237/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the significant increase in fertiliser prices over the last year, particularly in recent months and its impact at farm level.

The fertiliser market is largely driven by global supply and demand and, while there are a number of factors influencing fertiliser price, the major driving factors affecting prices are increased global demand due to strong growth in agricultural commodity prices, rising production costs due to increased raw material and energy costs and issues with supply for certain fertiliser products.

Similarly, with regard to feed, the market has experienced a marked increase in input costs due primarily to higher fertiliser costs but also rising freight costs which taken together with increased global demand for grain and cereal commodities has caused upward pressures on feed prices.

In line with the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Climate Action Plan commits to more targeted and reduced use of chemical nitrogen fertiliser while maintaining the same level of grass production through a number of measures including improved soil fertility and greater use of clover and multi-species swards.

I engage regularly with the farming organisations and have introduced a number of initiatives to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser including a new initiative to support the planting of multi-species swards and a pilot Soil Sampling Programme. Additionally, I have tasked Teagasc with developing a roadmap for farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers on farms.

We will continue to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser and my officials will closely monitor both the fertiliser and feed markets and how it develops in the weeks and months ahead.