HC Deb 15 December 1980 vol 996 c42W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage rise for all fertilisers for the year ended May 1980.

Mr. Wiggin

The increase in use of inorganic fertilisers for the year ended May 1980 was:

Per cent.
Nitrogen 7.4
Phosphate 5.8
Potash 8.6
Total 7.3

(Source: Monthly Digest of Statistics—Central Statistical Office)

From the latest available information given in the agricultural price indices the jercentage price rises for the same period for straight fertilisers were 17.6 per cent. and for compound fertilisers 23.4 per cent. The year on year increases to September 1980, the latest period known, were 11 per cent. and 16.9 per cent. respectively.