asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of oil prices on fertiliser supplies and production; what the shortfall in fertiliser production is as a result of the oil shortage; and to what extent he estimates that a shortfall of fertilisers in the spring would adversely affect production and yields.

I met representatives of the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association on 16th January. They assured me that production was being fully maintained and that they did not foresee any shortfall in supplies for use by farmers in the spring.