§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the incentives provided in each member State calculated to stimulate the use of lime for agricultural purposes.
§ Mr. StrangIn the United Kingdom assistance towards the cost of acquiring, transporting and spreading lime for agricultural purposes is available under the Agricultural Lime Scheme 1966—as amended. In the Republic of Ireland the Government pay the cost of transporting ground limestone from the quarry to the farm. I am not aware of any other specific aids for the application of lime for agricultural purposes generally elsewhere in the Community. However, the application of lime in particular cases 153W might qualify for assistance as in lowland and hill farming areas of the United Kingdom under the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme and the Farm Capital Grant Scheme. EEC Council Directive 72/159 on the modernisation of farms required member States to introduce a system of selective incentives to farms suitable for development. Twenty-five per cent. of the grant cost under the FHDS is reimbursed from EEC Funds. The FCGS is permitted under the Directive but not supported from EEC Funds.