Eu Commission Must Act on Fertiliser Prices as Eu Farmers’ Body Backs IFA Campaign

Speaking from Brussels, IFA President Joe Healy has welcomed the support from the official European Farmer and Co-op representative body (COPA/COGECA) for the campaign to remove duties and tariffs on fertiliser prices.

This morning in Brussels, COPA/COGECA formally adopted a position paper supporting the issues IFA has been raising in relation to fertiliser pricing.

COPA President Martin Merrild said, “The Irish Farmers Association, led by their President Joe Healy, has taken a stance on this issue and have been very effective in highlighting farmer concerns. COPA/COGECA has today adopted a strong position paper on this issue and we will be pursuing this with the EU Commission”.

Joe Healy said, “The cost of fertilisers is hammering farmers and damaging the competitiveness of Irish and EU agriculture. Fertiliser is the second largest expenditure item on Irish farms. Following the introduction of anti-dumping duties in 1994, Irish and EU fertiliser prices have increased at almost double the rate compared to other inputs”.

“The EU Commission must level the playing field, abolish anti-dumping duties and tariffs on non-EU fertiliser imports immediately and help to restore competitiveness to Irish and European agriculture. This move would save Irish farmers an estimated €32m per annum and European farmers €1bn.”

Earlier this week, IFA held a protest at the Fertilisers manufacturer Yara’s depot in Ringaskiddy in Cork where the IFA accused Yara of ripping off farmers. The company has hit farmers with seven price increases since last June. Wholesale EU CAN prices have risen by massive 48%, with Ammonium Nitrate prices up by 34%.