Press release
McConalogue announces doubling of budget for Liming Programme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced a doubling of the budget for the Liming Programme 2023 in response to the large number of applicants. This increase brings the budget for the scheme to €16 million, a 100% increase on the original €8 million allocated to the scheme in Budget 2023.
The Liming Programme was introduced by the Minister’s department earlier this year to incentivise the use of Lime, to correct soil acidity, make nutrients more available for plant uptake, and improve overall soil health. There was a phenomenal level of interest in the National Liming Programme with almost 41,000 applications received by the closing date of 20 April 2023.
The budget increase will facilitate approval for up to 40 tonnes of lime per eligible applicant. All eligible applicants will shortly receive a Letter of Approval from the department confirming their eligible tonnage of lime.
Speaking at the Tullamore Show, Minister McConalogue said:
“The level of applications for the Liming Programme is a clear indication of the importance farmers place on optimising soil health and improving their environmental sustainability. In light of the phenomenal demand expressed by farmers, I am delighted to be able to announce a doubling of the budget for the Programme from the original amount. Here in Tullamore today I’m delighted to be participating in the multi-stakeholder discussion at the Sustainability Village and supports like this liming programme are key to helping the agriculture sector achieve their environmental goals."
As per the Terms and Conditions of the Liming Programme, to qualify for aid it is not necessary to wait for the Letter of Approval before purchasing and applying lime. The claims system is now open on www.agfood.ie and invoices can be up-loaded from now onwards for eligible applicants who have already purchased and spread lime. All claims must be lodged online by 31 October 2023.
The Liming Programme was introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to incentivise the use of Lime a natural soil conditioner, which corrects soil acidity by neutralising the acids that are present in the soil. The programme will be funded as a once-off Ukraine funded measure from the National Exchequer.
Aid will be paid at a rate of €16 per tonne of Calcium ground limestone/ Magnesium (dolomitic) ground limestone delivered and spread.
To qualify for payment, all ground limestone purchased under this measure must meet the specifications set down in S.I. No. 248/1978: The ground limestone must be purchased directly from a licenced quarry. A list of licenced quarries is available at: Trade, Imports & Exports: Fertilisers and Limestone.
Quarries operating outside the state are not required to be licenced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but lime supplied must meet the specifications set down under S.I. No. 248/1978. A list of quarries currently fulfilling this requirement is available at: National Liming Programme 2023.
Valid soil samples must be available to show the need to correct soil pH (maximum of 4 years old from date of purchasing the lime). In accordance with the Terms and Conditions soil analysis reports will need to be made available if required as part of the department’s administrative and compliance checks.
The Terms and Conditions for the Liming Programme are available at: National Liming Programme 2023.