Comment: Government support for farmers with fertilisers

"Last year farmers faced an extra bill of up to £160 million for some fertilisers, and this year that bill could potentially rise to £760 million. [2] Chemical fertilisers are made from gas leaving farmers exposed to the gas price rises that households are seeing on their bills too.

"The Government's statement today recognises that in the medium term the best way to protect farmers from volatile gas and fertiliser costs is to find replacements like the low-carbon fertilisers now being made by innovative British companies, and to incentivise sustainable farming methods that restore richness to soils naturally and reduce the need for chemicals. Such measures will simultaneously cut gas dependency, help us to reach our net zero climate target and improve food security.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Eustice: supporting farmers ahead of the coming growing season: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eustice-supporting-farmers-ahead-of-the-coming-growing-season

2. ECIU analysis shows that in 2021, British farmers may have faced an additional £160 million on their fertiliser bill, largely caused by the gas price spike: https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2022/farming-fertiliser-and-fossil-fuels

For more information:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net