Oral Answers to Questions

James Wild Excerpts

Thursday 4th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. That was a poor effort, to be honest.

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

5. What steps she is taking to help support farmers with the cost of fertiliser.

[The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Dame Angela Eagle)]

We are working across Government to respond to the pressures created by the middle east conflict. I have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider industry concerns about fertiliser and we have increased the frequency of official fertiliser price reporting, which is now published weekly by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board giving farmers faster and more transparent information.

[James Wild]

North West Norfolk is home to the leading UK producer of liquid fertilisers, whose production depends on urea ammonium nitrate. With no domestic supply and conflict in the middle east constraining global markets, the United States is our primary reliable source. Will the Minister urge the Department for Business and Trade to suspend the 6% import tariff on US origin UAN in order to protect farmers and food prices?

[Dame Angela Eagle]

May I point out that UK production of fertiliser using those processes was made reliant on America because the last Government decided to close the ammonia factory? In looking at resilience, the Chancellor has announced a business engagement exercise to consider whether targeting tariff cuts on fertiliser would be of assistance, so that is an ongoing issue.