Urgency grows for fertiliser scheme as France leads on support
Pressure is mounting on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon to deliver a fertiliser support scheme "as soon as possible".
The issue was raised during the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) meeting on Friday (August 21).
Liam Dunphy of the Irish Fertiliser Manufacturers and Blenders' Association told the committee that there is enough fertiliser in the country to cover demand over the next four weeks.
He said fertiliser can be used under best practice up to the closing date of September 15.
Fertiliser
However, looking ahead to next year, Dunphy pointed to "the need to be ready to hit the ground running in the spring to spread fertiliser".
"From a supply point of view, what we need to be conscious of is Europe now has 5 million tonnes less Russian fertiliser than it had.
"It has probably 1 million tonnes less US liquid fertiliser than it had. Supplies are tighter.
"We have no native production in Ireland and we have a mechanism here to ensure fertiliser comes in maybe a bit earlier than normal in that Europe has announced a €540 million support scheme.
"Ireland has an allocation, with the option to top it up by 200%.
"We're looking at France as a competitor to Ireland when it comes to getting our supplies.
"France announced their support scheme a number of weeks ago. They've mopped up all the cheap fertiliser that was available.
"Farmers are subsidised to the tune of €50-70 a tonne on their purchases from June 1 to the end of September.
"This is what the French government have done to ensure fertiliser supplies and the crops are planted in the autumn and that there's nitrogen there to top dress them in the spring," he said.
Dunphy asked the committee to call on Minister Heydon to implement an Irish fertiliser support scheme "as soon as possible".
He said this would ensure farmers have that fertiliser available early in the spring and spread it when conditions allow.
In response, Mike Magan, chair of the committee, said it was a "solid recommendation".
EU action plan
Last month, the EU Fertiliser Action Plan was approved by member states in response to rising fertiliser prices driven by the crisis in the Middle East.
The plan combines a €540 million financial relief package, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) flexibility, and a long-term move towards circular, bio-based fertilisers.
As part of the package member states are able to complement the EU support up to 200% using national funds.
Ireland has been allocated almost €15.4 million in emergency assistance which can be made available to farmers.
However, no decision has yet been made on how to deploy these funds and what the contribution will be made from the national exchequer.
The European Commission has previously stated that "to ensure the effectiveness of this emergency measure, farmers should receive the financial support as quickly as possible".
It said that member states should therefore distribute the aid by February 28, 2027.
