New Figures Show Massive Increase in Farm Fertiliser Costs
The Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, has said that farmers must be a priority in the upcoming budget. He was speaking after new figures released to him following a parliamentary question show a massive increase in fertiliser costs.
Deputy Tóibín said "It is hard to explain the awful situation many farmers are in across the country, with sharp rises in input costs for farming, but a stagnant or only slight rise in the price received for the finished product. I heard someone saying recently that if a burglar were to break into a yard the most expensive thing they'd find to steal would be a bag of fertiliser!"
"The war cannot be blamed for everything, fertiliser was increasing before the invasion. Due to the actions of the beef factories, many farmers have been left stuck in a situation where they are not making profits and yet cannot pull out of the industry due the level of debt they've incurred".
"There are many farmers in the country whose mental health, relationships, and families are suffering enormously due to the economic strain on them. Rural and regional Ireland and famers need to be prioritised in the budget in a few months time", concluded Tóibín.
ENDS
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For Oral Answer on : 13/07/2023
Question Number(s): 45 Question Reference(s): 33818/23
Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Asked by: Peadar Tóibín T.D.
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https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-07-13/45/
