98. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the long-term measures being developed to protect farmers and horticulturists from fertiliser market shocks, including price volatility and supply disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35766/26]

Sentiment score: -0.11

125. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his strategy in ensuring stabilisation of fertiliser prices and supply for farmers and horticulturists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35767/26]

Sentiment score: 0.10

Farmers and horticulturists are being hammered by the price of fertiliser and supply uncertainty yet again. The conflict in west Asia has driven up fuel and fertiliser prices and disrupted key shipping routes. Fertiliser bills have shot up and vital deliveries are in doubt for so many. Farmers feel little has been done since the last fertiliser crisis and are getting more and more frustrated. They are very reasonably asking what long-term measures the Minister is delivering to shield farmers from supply shocks like this.

Sentiment score: -0.32

It is hugely important to look beyond the immediate crisis and to set out a strategy for a more resilient supply. As the Minister said, the European Commission is about to launch its fertiliser security plan aiming at cutting dependency, boosting production and promoting alternatives. That is good and vital, but those solutions are going to take time to implement and farmers are under pressure in the short term. That will especially be the case next year. We are hearing that Russia, India and China, the main suppliers, will be looking to focus their supplies on their own farming sectors ahead of exporting fertiliser. That will really put pressure on next year. Is there a plan for possibly bulk-buying fertiliser? I note and welcome what the Minister said about CBAM. Possibly, at this stage, it is not really the time to be introducing CBAM, and I ask the Minister to press this issue further. Are there efforts to bulk-buy fertiliser to ensure there will be a supply for next year?

Sentiment score: 0.09

Has the Minister looked at the possibility of moving towards green sources of energy? We do not have a supply of fertiliser manufactured here at home because we do not have the gas, but we do have wind. Has the Minister looked at the possibility of using that type of energy in the context of developing green ammonia plants here? Second, there is a great opportunity in relation to recovered nitrogen from manure, RENURE, fertilisers, which have recently been approved. Europe should be looking at the possibility of becoming more resilient and self-sufficient, rather than having to reach out elsewhere, using those alternatives and moving away, as much as we can, from chemical options.

Sentiment score: 0.29