Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider a lime spreading extension to allow lime to be bought and spread up to March 2024 instead of destroying grassland by driving over saturated fields with heavy machinery, taking into account the exceptional wet summer and soil saturation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44284/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the difficult weather conditions over the last number of months, last week I announced an important flexibility under the National Liming Programme.

Farmers, approved under that National Liming Programme, that purchase lime before the 31st of October 2023 will now be allowed an extended spreading period until the 31st of March 2024. This will give approved farmers a greater opportunity to spread lime when ground conditions are more suitable.

To benefit, approved farmers must still submit a claim on www.agfood.ie, including an Invoice/Receipt marked paid by the 31st of October 2023. For farmers who avail of the extended spreading deadline, further checks will be carried out in spring 2024 to verify the lime has been spread.