Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been discussions at European Union level in relation to the need to provide assistance to farmers to mitigate the very substantial increase in fertiliser costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The current situation in relation to the cost and availability of farm inputs remains a significant concern.  Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy, feed and fertiliser prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption. This is being felt at farm level and is something that I am acutely aware of.

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 2^ndMarch.  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 supply chains across the EU and to be ready to consider any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused. 

The EU Commission announced a private storage aid scheme for the pigmeat sector, and it is also allowing other exceptional measures at Member State level to respond to market disturbances.

I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and I am actively engaging with the EU Commission, across Government and with industry as this situation unfolds. This is period of considerable challenge for our sector. I have taken a proactive approach, through the various measures I have announced since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.