Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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832. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had with fertiliser producers in Ireland in relation to a way to alleviate the crisis facing farmers regarding the price and availability of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15764/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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866. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had with fertiliser producers in the State; the steps he has taken as to the way to alleviate the crisis facing farmers regarding the price and availability of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16171/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 832 and 866 together.

It is important to set out at the outset that Ireland does not manufacture fertiliser and is consequently dependent on the international marketplace for fertilisers, subsequently blended by Irish companies. There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the fertiliser sector in Ireland. Fertiliser companies provide sales data on a quarterly basis to my Department.

Additionally, I met with representatives of both the Irish Fertiliser Manufacturers and Blenders Association and the Fertiliser Association of Ireland on 10 March where we had a useful discussion on the challenges facing the industry arising from the ongoing serious situation caused by Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, including the impact on fertiliser price and availability.

I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains, and especially on input costs at the extraordinary informal meeting of European Union Agriculture Ministers held on 2nd March. I underlined the need for market support and the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market.

At the AgriFish Council of 21st March, I asked the EU Commission, as part of its work on monitoring markets, to keep a very close eye on the issue of fertiliser availability across the EU and to be ready to consider any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused. The EU Commission is considering bringing in a private storage aid scheme for the pigmeat sector, as well as allowing other exceptional measures at Member State level to respond to market disturbances.

At a meeting of farm organisations on 8th March, I established a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to explore all options to minimise the impact on farms and plan in the short to medium term. This Group continues to meet and it is expected that its outcomes will be presented shortly.

I announced a package of targeted interventions for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers. The package supports the growing of additional tillage and protein crops and the establishment of multi-species swards lowering demand for chemical fertiliser.

I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and both my Department is actively engaging with the fertiliser industry to evaluate stock levels and availability and assist in ensuring the ongoing continuity of supply. I will continue to back our farm families and their businesses through this challenging time.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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833. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered increased targets and funding regarding the use of multi-species swards, organic farming or liming arising from the current crisis regarding the price and availability of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15765/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I announced a package of measures last week worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers as part of the Government's response to the cost increases and challenges currently facing the sector. To reduce reliance on chemical nitrogen, this package includes support for farmers who wish to establish multi-species swards and/or red clover silage swards.

The Multi-Species Swards Measure was launched last Friday and remains open for applications until 4th April 2022. My Department is working on other initiatives within the package of measures, including the Red Clover Silage Measure which I expect to launch shortly.

Subject to farmer uptake and seed availability, these measures aim to establish approximately 12,000ha of Multi-Species Swards and 4,000ha of Red Clover Silage Swards. It is important to highlight that the target area in these schemes is limited by the availability of seed, most particularly clover and also herds.

Last year I launched the Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme where sampling and analysis, including testing for soil pH, is provided free of charge for farmers. This provides information on lime and other soil requirements which assist improving nutrient use efficiency.

To achieve optimum soil pH on intensive farmers, under the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations, a liming programme is required for each holding with a grassland stocking rate of 170 kg organic Nitrogen per hectare, or above prior to export of organic manure.

The Organic Farming Scheme is currently open for applications. This year, an additional €5m has been allocated to the Scheme to facilitate additional farmers entering organic farming. Under Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) €256m has been allocated to this Scheme, with increased payment rates across all sectors and a target of significantly increasing Ireland's area under organic production by 2027.

Ireland's draft CSP which is currently being considered by the European Commission, also includes Eco-Scheme options relating to establishment and correction of soil pH, as well as sowing of multi-species swards.