Potash quotas ended

George Lyon, MEP described the decision yesterday to remove limits on the tonnage of potash coming in from Russia and Belarus as "common sense" as the restrictive importation tariffs set 20 years ago were no longer relevant in today's world where farmers were facing hugely increased fertiliser prices.

"I am glad this restriction has been removed. It no longer made sense to have anti dumping duties and quotas being imposed when the market has completely changed," he said.

He said it was an issue that had been pursued by MEPs and lobby organisations as it affected farmers in all the member states and with the removal of the duties and quotas from tonight farmers and growers would be able to benefit from a wider supply base for their fertiliser needs.

Ian Backhouse, NFU combinable crops board chairman and chairman of the Copa-Cogeca cereals working party, said: "This decision shows that the Commission has listened to our arguments and recognises that it is in the interest of European agriculture to be able to source key inputs from across the world at the most competitive prices."