§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the re-introduction of the lime subsidy in respect of land where liming may be expected to improve soil condition or fertility.
§ Mrs. FennerUnder the capital grant schemes assistance is available for liming as a capital improvement in the less favoured areas or for part of an approved programme of grassland reseeding and regeneration, excepting on heathland and moorland.
The use of lime for routine maintenance is regarded as a cost-effective operation of normal good husbandry and I have no plans to introduce a general subsidy. Such a measure would be contrary to the European Community rules on state aids.