Written question WQ86409
- Asked by
- Peter FoxConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Minister provide an update on what action the Welsh Government is taking to help farmers to obtain fertiliser at an affordable price?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Welsh Government closely monitors the availability and cost of all agricultural inputs thorough the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group and participates in the UK Fertiliser Taskforce which comprises representatives from industry bodies and governments.
The Welsh Government is also supporting farmers to mitigate high input costs as part of our overall package of support for farmers, foresters, land managers and food businesses, worth over £227 million over the next three years, supporting the resilience of agriculture and the rural economy.
A Growing for the Environment scheme is currently open which supports farmers to grow mixed leys, protein crops and unsprayed cereals. One of the objectives of this scheme is to reduce the need for inorganic fertiliser application.
Farming Connect also supports the industry by directing farms to advice and guidance on how best to react to high input costs. This includes adjusting nitrogen application rates and alternative fertiliser management options and fertiliser calculation adjustment tools for grassland, cereals and oilseeds.