Doubling of Liming Programme to €16 million announced at Tullamore Show

A doubling of the budget for the Liming Programme in response to the large number of applications was announced at Tullamore Show by Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue.

The increase brings the budget for the scheme to €16 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the original €8m 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 programme with almost 41,0000 applications received revealed the Minister.

He said the budget increase will facilitate approval for up to 40 tonnes of lime per eligible applicant.

“The level of applications is a clear indication of the importance farmers place on optimising soil health and improving their environmental sustainability,” stressed the Minister.

The Minister said the past year has been a very challenging one for Irish farming on a number of different fronts.

Speaking at the official opening of Tullamore Show and the FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday, Minister Charlie McConalogue said his department had introdued a number of different supports to aid farmers in meeting these challenges.

In a wide ranging address, the Minister stressed the importance of farming sustainably and praised the show for introducing a Sustainable Livestock Village at this year's event.

He also highlighted the importance of farm safety and noted the high number of workplace accidents on farms every year.

Minister McConalogue encouraged those in attendance at the show to visit the Farm Safety Live Stand to view the demonstrations and listen to expert speakers on livestock and machinery safe practices.

Stressing the importance of agriculture to the economy the Donegal based Minister said 90 per cent of food was exported to over 180 countries to a total value of €19 billion.

Speaking at the outset of proceedings, Show Secretary, Chelsey Cox extended a special welcome to the dignitaries on the stage including the Australian and Chinese Ambassadors, Ministers McConalogue, Martin Heydon and Pippa Hackett, EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, MEPs Maria Walsh and Colm Markey, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, Chairman Offaly County Council, Cllr Neil Feighery, Tim Cullinan, President IFA, Pat McCormack, President ICMSA, Dermot Kelleher, President ICSA, Pat Walsh, Chairman Offaly IFA, Deputy Carol Nolan and Anne Marie and Stephen McQuade, the site owners.

Pat Gilligan, FBD's head of sales for the Midlands and East region, described Tullamore as the highlight of the summer shows calendar.

He stressed the importance of protecting the environment and predicted that agriculture will rise to the challenges it faces.

Tullamore Show had become more an occasion than just a show said Irish Shows Association chief, Ray Brady who described it as Ireland's premier show, logistically perfectly located in the centre of the country.

He said the volunteers who put in a huge effort to make the event possible deserved special praise.

Joe Molloy, Chairman of Tullamore Show, said the creme de la creme of livestock was on display in Tullamore and said lots of people would go home with prizes and awards.

He thanked the site owners, volunteers and all the services and agencies who made the event possible.

The official opening concluded with a blessing by Fr Michael Whittaker and Rev. Yvonne Hutchinson.