Ireland Midlands-Northwest MEP Chris MacManus told representatives from the Directorate General for Agriculture (DG AGRI) of the European Commission that Irish farms are in a desperate situation owing to high fertiliser prices.
He made the statement at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture this week.
MacManus later said that, “Irish farmers have been watching the fertiliser markets for the last 12 months, waiting for a time to buy. Many assumed the Covid-19 price inflation would subside in 2022, and therefore they held off purchasing. The outbreak of war in Ukraine has unfortunately punished those farmers severely for waiting, and they need immediate support.”
The MEP stated that he had spoken to farmers who are now paying over €900/t for fertiliser that cost around €350/t early 2021. And fertiliser prices are continuing to increase week-on-week.
“The most obvious scenario is that farmers will use fertiliser more sparingly this year and therefore produce less food – hitting already miniscule profit margins.” In response to this he urged for “all tools” to be made available to alleviate the fertiliser price problem.
He also called for a reduction in dependence on nitrogen fertilisers in the medium and long term through organic alternatives or greater use of red and white clover.
MacManus added that, “Ireland must also make full use of the state aid flexibilities allowed to boost the level of relief provided to Irish farmers.”