Power bill up 18.6%

ENERGY costs have risen on Irish farms by 18.6% in the past year, according to the Central Statistics Office.

Comparing March 2005 to March 2004, there has been a rise of 8.2% in fertiliser prices, which closely track energy prices.

Higher fuel prices may also be reflected in the general 1% annual rise in the total cost of Irish farm inputs, because of the greater expenditure in transporting materials onto farms.