Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that his Department has taken to reduce the economic burden on farmers as a result of the rapid increase in the cost of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53058/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The price of fertiliser remains a significant economic burden on farmers and there is no sign of fertiliser prices easing in the short to medium term as prices are being driven by a number of factors including global demand, energy prices and availability.

I have taken a proactive approach to supporting our farm families throughout this period and will continue to do so.

In January, I launched the Teagasc 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign which provided a comprehensive information pack for farmers and their advisors on optimising the use of plant nutrients to address the challenge of maintaining their farm outputs in the face of rising fertiliser costs and reduced availability.

This campaign has supported farmers to reduce their dependency on chemical fertilisers and it remains a credible roadmap that is good the environment and good for the farmer's pocket.

Over the course of the past year, I announced a series of targeted interventions for farmers aimed at supporting Irish farm families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility including:

(a) a Targeted Intervention Package worth over €12 million which included a €10 million Tillage Incentive Scheme; and a €2 million Multi-Species Sward Initiative and a Red Clover Silage Measure to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming, thereby reducing nitrogen fertiliser usage, while maintaining forage yield;

(b) a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme to assist farmers grow fodder in response to increases in input costs especially chemical fertiliser. This pays applicants up to €1,000 each to support them in the saving of fodder; and

(c) a €2.8 million Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme to support Irish fruit and vegetable growers impacted by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Furthermore, I secured further supports for farm families in Budget 2023 to help them deal with the immediate and ongoing fallout of the illegal invasion of Ukraine including a new €8m grant aid scheme to support the spreading of lime as well as an enhanced Multi Species Sward / Red Clover scheme. I also secured funding for the continuation of the €10m Tillage Incentive Scheme in 2023 to encourage maintenance and new planting in the Tillage Sector.

Lastly, I have committed to a continuation of fodder supports for beef and sheep farmers.

All of these supports will help farm families offset the pressures associated with fertiliser prices. I do recognise that 2023 will be a challenging year in terms of inputs particularly around feed and fertiliser.