§ Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that sufficient supplies of fertilisers are available to meet necessary demands for grass production to encourage livestock farmers.
§ Mr. BishopI am not aware that livestock farmers are experiencing difficulty in obtaining fertilisers.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the prices of fertilisers with and without subsidies, repectively, at the latest convenient date in the United Kingdom and in member countries of the European Economic Communities.
§ Mr. BishopThe table below gives the latest available information comparing the prices of fertilisers in member countries of the EEC.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICES IN U.S. DOLLARS PER 100 KG OF PLANT NUTRIENT Nitrogenous fertilisers Phosphatic fertilisers Denmark 30.97 24.29 Federal Republic of Germany 37.72 28.00 Irish Republic 27.33 18.40 Italy 31.31 19.32 Netherlands 34.25 25.48 United Kingdom 25.85 20.01 The information has been extracted from "Prices of Agricultural Products and Selected Inputs in Europe 1972–73" published by the Agricultural Division of the Economic Commission for Europe in April 1974. It relates to fertiliser years ending in May or June 1973.
The prices quoted for Denmark are before deduction of 10–11 per cent. subsidy. Net prices to Danish farmers would be about $27.70 for nitrogenous fertilisers and $21.70 for phosphatic fertilisers.
The prices quoted for the United Kingdom are before deduction of 8.9 per 519W cent. subsidy. Net Prices to British farmers were about $23.50 for nitrogenous fertilisers and $18.40 for phosphatic fertilisers.
Information is not available for Belgium, France or Luxembourg; or for compound fertilisers or potash.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost per ton for fertilisers for the years 1973 and 1974, respectively; whether he will introduce a revised subsidy to dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopThe average cost per nutrient ton of certain fertilisers in 1973 and 1974 was as follows:
Fertiliser Year June 1972–May 1973 Straight nitirogen £109.00 Compounds £96.30 Fertiliser Year (Part) June 1973–March 1974 Straight nitrogen £117.10 Compounds £103.20 The calculations have been based on applications for the fertiliser subsidy and information is not yet available for April and May 1974. The subsidy ended on 31st May 1974 and there are no plans to introduce a revised subsidy.