Increased liming budget important move for climate action - IFA

An on-farm scheme has proved so popular this year that a doubling of its budget has been announced by the Department of Agriculture.

The budget for the Liming Programme 2023 has doubled response to the large number of applicants, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D. has announced.

This increase brings the budget for the scheme to €16m, a 100% increase on the original €8m allocated to the scheme in Budget 2023.

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IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins has acknowledged the increase in the budget allocation for the National Liming Programme and commitments made from Government that the budget will be reviewed again if needed.

Announcing the new budget, Minister McConalogue said eligible farmers will be paid for up to 40 tonnes of lime, at a rate of €16/tonne.

IFA’s Michael Biggins said that “there’s huge focus on farmers regarding the climate challenge. However, what isn’t acknowledged is the significant ambition among farmers to improve on-farm efficiencies and their environmental foot-print.”

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More than 41,000 farmers applied for the National Liming Programme because they want to improve their soil fertility and thereby reduce chemical fertiliser usage.

“The announcement is certainly an important first step. The Minister must now ensure all valid applications for the liming programme are accommodated, with full payment made on strength of purchase receipts received,” Mr Biggins said.

“IFA has pressed for the need for increased funding for the National Liming Programme for some time. It was one of our pre-Budget priorities when we met the Department in recent weeks. Future funding should reflect the enormous interest in the scheme,” he said.

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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 20th 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.

“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,” Minister McConalogue said.

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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 31st October 2023.