Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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133. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to address the matter of fertiliser costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26841/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The current situation in relation to the cost and availability of fertiliser 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.

As the Deputy me be aware, I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8th March to discuss the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Irish agriculture and supply chains.

At that meeting I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it with preparing an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.  

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 European Union Agriculture Ministers meetings where I underlined the need for market support and consideration of any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused, including the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market. 

Within my Department, I also established a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis, which it continues to do.

Given Ireland’s dependence on imported feed, 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 on 22nd March. The package supports the growing of additional tillage and protein crops and the establishment of multi-species swards lowering demand for chemical fertiliser.

In addition, on the 3rd May 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, with the objective of supporting farm families to conserve silage and hay this year to ensure that we have adequate stocks of fodder over next winter. I expect to announce further details on the proposed scheme shortly.  The financial supports previously announced, and those currently under discussion, will assist farmers in meeting the rising costs of fertiliser and in providing sufficient fodder for Winter 2022.  

I launched the 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign in January in response to the unprecedented fertiliser price levels.  This is a credible roadmap that will help farmers reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser. 

I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and 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 to supporting our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.