Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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859. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to the escalation and high price of fertiliser which is having a major impact on farming families. [5069/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The very significant rise in fertiliser prices in the last year and particularly in recent months, is particularly concerning.  I am closely monitoring the situation. 

In October 2021, I requested Teagasc to lay out a credible roadmap to assist farmers in the short-term, as well as offering a longterm solution in the move to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser.  I was delighted to be able to launch the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc Ballyhaise on the 26th January.

In addition, at the November Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs. I called on the EU Commission to consider all options to ease the pressure on farmers at this time, including the question of whether the imposition of anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports continues to be appropriate and for this matter to be examined as a priority.

Following the November meeting, I wrote to the EU Commissioner Wojciechowski requesting that the Commissions assessment of the ongoing appropriateness of anti-dumping duties on fertilisers is completed as a matter of priority. I also wrote to the Commissioner asking him to finalise the Commission’s examination of the duties. The EU Commission responded, on  26th January, that they are still collecting information to establish the relevant facts.

In the meantime, Teagasc will continue to work with farmers through the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser campaign to help farmers to adapt to the current fertiliser market and support them to make informed decisions on what is best for them and their farms.

The impact of rising fertiliser prices on the competitiveness of the farming sector will continue to be a priority for my Department and is being closely monitored by my officials.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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860. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a recruitment campaign for technical agricultural officers in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5070/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent Technical Agricultural Officer (TAO) recruitment campaign was advertised on 24th July 2020 by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Department.

A significant number of appointments have been made from the panels created for each county and it is envisaged that those panels will continue to give rise to further appointments throughout much of 2022.

While there are no immediate plans for a new TAO recruitment campaign, it is likely that a new campaign will be organised towards the end of 2022 or early 2023.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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861. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports that are available for agricultural producer organisations established in the past year; and the way these can be drawn down by such organisations. [5163/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The EU’s Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation scheme offers recognised Producer Organisations in the fruit and vegetable sectors (not potatoes) to claim 50% aid from the EU for pre-approved Operational Programmes up to a value of 4.1% of the Value of their Marketed Product. Such aid is paid retrospectively and after claims have been checked and verified by my Department.

Recognised Producer Organisations in the Beef sector can avail of support for the engagement of Department approved facilitators for the provision of advisory services to support their application for recognition.  Support of up to €3,000 is currently available on two types of advice at a rate of up to €1,500 each. This aid is paid retrospectively following formal recognition of the Producer Organisation.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to enhance supports for the establishment of Producer Organisations, Ireland's recently submitted CAP strategic plan contains a proposal for enhanced supports for early stage Producer Organisations in the beef, sheep, horticulture (including potatoes), cereals and amenity plant sectors.   This proposal provides for the retention of existing advisory support and the addition of an administrative support grant payable annually in the first three years following recognition.