Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced a doubling in funding for the Liming Programme 2023 in response to a “large” number of applications.
This increase brings the budget for the scheme to €16m, a 100% rise on the original €8m the DAFM allocated to the scheme in Budget 2023.
There was a “phenomenal” level of interest in the National Liming Programme with almost 41,000 applications received by the closing date of April 20th, 2023.
The minister’s department introduced the measure earlier this year to:
- Incentivise the use of lime;
- Correct soil acidity;
- Make nutrients more available for plant uptake;
- Improve overall soil health.
€16/t up to 40/t
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 DAFM, confirming their eligible tonnage of lime.
Aid will be paid at a rate of €16 per tonne of Calcium ground limestone/ Magnesium (dolomitic) ground limestone delivered and spread.
Valid soil samples must be available to show the need to correct soil pH (maximum of 4-years-old from the 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.
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.
Quarries operating outside the state are not required to be licenced by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
However, 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 gov.ie – National Liming Programme 2023 (www.gov.ie)
Can spread before approval letters
As explained in this new article on www.thatsfarming.com over the weekend, 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 October 31st, 2023.
See more farming news on www.thatsfarming.com
