Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider amending the sheep welfare scheme to allow farmers who were forced out of the scheme for a year due to significant ill health or other exceptional circumstances to re-enter the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5970/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Where farmers participating in any of my Department’s schemes experience issues such as significant ill health or other exceptional circumstances, I would urge them to contact my Department at the earliest possible opportunity to outline their position and to discuss what options might be available to them.

The Terms and Conditions of the Sheep Welfare Scheme allow for the submission of appeals on the grounds of Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances, as defined under Regulation (EU) No. 1306/2013.

Where an applicant wishes to rely on Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances, the obligation is on the applicant to notify my Department in writing of the appeal within 15 working days form the date the applicant is in a position to do so.

Appeals received on the grounds of Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances are reviewed by staff within the Sheep Welfare Section of the Department and a written response is issued as to the outcome.

Where an applicant is not satisfied with the initial decision of the Department, the applicant has the opportunity to seek a review of the decision.

If an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of that review, they have the opportunity to submit a further appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to support farmers who are struggling to meet the rising costs of purchasing fertiliser. [6715/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am acutely aware of the impact rising input costs has on farmers, their families and businesses.

The very significant rise in fertiliser prices in the last year and particularly in recent months is particularly concerning. There are a number of factors at play in the market including energy prices which remain well above January 2021 levels. 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 prices here for our farmers.

I have been following the rising fertiliser price issue closely for the past number of months. In October 2021, I tasked Teagasc to lay out a credible roadmap to assist farmers in the short-term, as well as offering a long-term solution in the move to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser. I launched the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc Ballyhaise on the 26th January. This is a strategy that can ease the price pressure on farmers. It is good for the environment and good for the pocket.

I have raised the issue a number of times at European level too. At the November Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I again raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs. I called on the EU Commission to seriously 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. The EU Commission responded, on 26th January, to say 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.

Teagasc has put together a comprehensive information pack for farmers and their advisors - through a compendium of 20 factsheets - to optimise the use of plant nutrients and to help farmers address the challenge of maintaining their farm outputs in the face of rising fertiliser costs and reduced availability.

In addition, a new €1 million initiative by my Department will support the planting of multi-species swards in order to reduce dependence on fertilisers.

A pilot Soil Sampling Programme has also been introduced, which will provide farmers with comprehensive details of the soil health and soil condition of their farm.

As the Deputy can appreciate, Ireland is a relatively small market in respect of fertiliser sales and their usage compared to many of our EU neighbours. As a result, Irish fertiliser companies are price-takers that are dependent on global fertiliser supply and demand. It is to be hoped that we may see a levelling off at least of some of these contributing rising price factors this year. This is not to diminish the pressures being faced by out farmers today, however.

The initiatives I have introduced should support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser. I assure this House that both me and my Department will continue to closely monitor the situation. We will continue to examine all options to ease the burden on farmers in the short and long term.