204 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of fertiliser samples taken in the last year for which records are available; the number found deficient; and the action, if any, taken in this regard. [5933/97]

Some 495 official samples were analysed in the year ended 30 September 1996 and 66 did not meet all the statutory standards. It should be noted however that the results in the majority of the failures showed only a slight divergence from the prescribed tolerance in one of the nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) or potassium (K).

My Department maintains ongoing contact with the fertiliser trade interests and has already had discussions with them on the outcome of the sampling with a view to ensuring full compliance with the statutory requirements.