AN Irish Farmers Association (IFA) commissioned report by the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRA) examining competition in Europe's fertiliser industry has concluded that existing trade barriers are costing Europe's farmers nearly €1bn in import duties and over 17,000 jobs could be created in the agri-food sector.

The report was commissioned by IFA as part of its strategy to drive down excessive input costs to Irish farmers at a time when fertiliser prices remain stubbornly and excessively high.

With huge pressure on farm incomes, IFA chairman Jer Bergin said IFA expects an urgent investigation by the EU Commission on the back of the strong evidence put forward by the IFPRI report. In the first instance he called on the Commission to cut input costs to farmers by abolishing duties and taxes that only serve to protect European fertiliser producers at the expense of farmers.

The report also finds that "price fixing and cartels might be operating in the highly-concentrated markets such as Western Europe and calls for the need to further examine pricing behaviour and potential market power in the industry".

IFA Inputs Project Team Leader James McCarthy pointed out: "The steep fall in energy prices over the last two years has not been reflected in retail prices to the primary producer."

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 917 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 281p per kg and an average of 221.2p (+16.8p on the week), while 1471 store beef-bred bullocks peaked at 273p and levelled at 227.4p (+13.4p). Twenty-six store, B&W bullocks sold to 123.2p and averaged 115.4p (-8.2p).

In the rough ring 137 beef cows averaged 115.2p and 7 dairy cows levelled at 97.1p.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 9 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 218.5p and an average of 205.1p.

There were 47 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 109.2p and dairy cows levelled at 83.4p.

The firm also sold 800 prime hoggs to a top of £100.50 per head and 218p per kg to average 183.5p (+5.4p).

The 284 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £97.50 for a Texel and average £71.39 (+£6.27), while light ewes peaked at £68 for Blackfaces and levelled at £53.32 (-£4.13).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1320 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £100 and 243.2p to average 180.7p (-0.2p).

The 239 cast sheep forward continued to sell well with ewes peaking at £109 for Texels and £69.50 for Blackfaces.