Ireland risks being left behind on fertiliser support, with the government facing fresh calls to "immediately" introduce a scheme similar to those already launched across Europe.

France and Spain have already moved ahead with fertiliser support measures while the European Commission today (Thursday, July 16) also signed off on a €41 million Greek aid scheme for agricultural companies facing increased fertiliser prices because of the Middle East crisis.

As reported by Agriland, Ireland has been allocated a potential €15.3 million share of the European Commission's proposed €540 million fertiliser support package.

The commission wants to increase the agricultural reserve for 2026 by €300 million - adding to the €200 million which is already in the pot.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) it has noted the "proposal in relation to the use of the EU agricultural reserve to help farmers dealing with high fertiliser costs, which will now proceed through the relevant approval processes".

"In the meantime, the department will consider fully the approach to be taken in the deployment of these funds," a spokesperson told Agriland.

Fertiliser

However the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has warned that farmers need fertiliser support sooner rather than later.

Denis Drennan said today that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine should "top-up" the proposed EU funds to the maximum extent possible.

According to Drennan detailed information is readily available from the National Fertiliser Database to see which farmers have purchased fertiliser at "inflated prices".

“The minister should immediately announce a scheme to provide critical support to farmers who are faced with high fertiliser prices and low output prices. 

"We need to see an immediate response from government in relation to the EU fertiliser package,” Drennan urged.

Separately the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) would also like to see movement from the government in relation to a fertiliser support scheme.

ICOS previously called on the government to introduce a €40 million state aid package to help Irish farmers secure fertiliser supplies for 2027.

A spokesperson for the organisation said that the European Commission's announcement of a €540 million support package "to assist farmers affected by the current fertiliser crisis is a welcome development".

But they added: "The challenges facing fertiliser affordability, availability and market confidence require an immediate and decisive response.

"We therefore urge the government to maximise the value of Ireland's allocation through full co-funding and to implement a targeted support scheme that delivers meaningful assistance to farmers ahead of the 2027 growing season".