Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fertiliser Costs

Thursday 28 April 2022 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister delayed changes to urea fertiliser regulations and provided slurry storage grants.
  • Investment of 38 million through the farming innovation programme to support farmers.
  • Government considering alternatives like seaweed for environmentally friendly fertilisers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Fay Jones
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers face significant challenges due to increasing fertiliser prices, affecting their ability to maintain food production and security. Andy Matthews from Aberbrân noted that fertiliser prices have risen sharply.

Question

What steps he is taking to support farmers with rising fertiliser costs?

Answer from Jo Churchill

We are delaying the changes of use to urea fertiliser by a year, revising statutory guidance on farming rules for water, providing slurry storage grants. We have an organic fertiliser task and finish group, a fertiliser taskforce and investment in R&D through programmes like £38 million farming innovation programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify exact measures to directly address rising costs

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Q2 Fay Jones
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns about long-term food security due to rising fertiliser costs affecting farmers' ability to plant for the next season. Andy Matthews noted a fourfold increase in fertiliser prices.

Question

I am extremely worried about the impact that rising fertiliser costs will have on our food production and food security in this country. Andy Matthews, who farms in Aberbrân, tells me that fertiliser was once £270 a tonne and is now £900 a tonne, which is a real risk for our food production capabilities. Innovation will be one of the ways out of that, so can the Minister update the House on the work that she is doing to ensure our long-term food security?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Investing £38 million through the farming innovation programme, launched an £8 million competition for large R&D partnerships. Visited institutes like James Hutton and Roslin to support innovative solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address food security risks or long-term measures

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Q3 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Helen Morgan's constituency are concerned about rising fertiliser and fuel costs affecting their ability to plant for next season. They request support through reversing cuts to the basic payment scheme.

Question

I have been contacted by several farmers in my constituency explaining that, because fertiliser and fuel costs are rocketing, they may not be able to afford to plant for next season. Does the Minister agree that now is the time to reverse the cut to the basic payment scheme to help our farmers survive the crisis?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Supporting all farmers through fertiliser taskforce and Government work, but sees reversing basic payment as too blunt a measure.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reversing the cut to the basic payment scheme

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Q4 Tim Loughton Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Historically, farmers collected seaweed before commercial fertilisers became widely available. Now the Sussex kelp restoration project is underway.

Question

Given that we have the Sussex kelp restoration project and seaweed has a major environmentally friendly use in feeding livestock and fertilising agricultural lands, will he look again at how we can promote it as a good, environmentally friendly alternative to commercial fertilisers?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has seen the work. Universities like Aberystwyth are working on using seaweed for feed additives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to promoting seaweed specifically as an alternative

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Q5 Barry Sheerman Lab
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Soil degradation is a significant challenge to the planet, as noted by Cambridge University. Proper treatment of soil is essential for sustainability.

Question

Does the Minister agree, though, that we must be careful about what we put on our soil in terms of weed killers and nutrients? According to Cambridge University, soil degradation is one of the biggest challenges to our planet. We have been mistreating our soil for many years. Can we be careful about what we do with it?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Soil degradation is a key issue, addressed through sustainable farming incentive and breeding plants that use fewer pesticides and resources.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures for cautious use of soil

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Q6 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

UK food system relies on two factories for CO2, one of which has been shut and the other operating at low levels. Government intervention was delayed previously.

Question

Cost is incredibly important but so is availability. The UK food system is dependent on two factories for CO2, one of which has been shut for months and the other has been operating at relatively low levels. Before Christmas, the Government were slow to intervene and coy about the terms of the agreement. Can the Minister tell the House today what that agreement was, how much it cost and what the plan is to ensure that the UK food system is secure in future?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Keeping a close eye on this complex area involving CO2. Farmers should have confidence, put forward orders for sustainable demand to improve supply chain.

Not addressed: Did not provide details of the agreement or future plans

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Q7 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Ukraine Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Food security has become more critical due to the situation in Ukraine. Farmers face increasing costs of fertiliser, animal feed and fuel.

Question

Sadly, food security has come into sharp relief again with the dreadful situation in Ukraine. Our fantastic farmers in Cumbria and across the UK continue to produce high-quality food in these difficult times but, as we have heard, there are increasing pressures from fertiliser costs, animal feed costs and fuel costs. Can my hon. Friend assure me that there will be cross-Government work to support our farmers to mitigate these pressures so that they can continue to produce the highest quality food?

Answer from Jo Churchill

Maintaining dialogue across Government, supporting through sustainable farming incentive and minimising inputs costs. Technology and innovation are key.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete cross-Government work details

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