The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced its decision to cancel certain support payments for the 2010/11 financial year.

The affected supprt schemes are: BSE (fee for the testing of livestock) Scheme 2008; Cereal Intervention Scheme 2000; Cartridges for Heads; Provision of lime Scheme 2002; Livestock Improvement.

The Lime Subsidy Scheme is closed with immediate effect and no further orders for lime will receive grant support from the Department. 

All applications for support under this Scheme must be submitted to the Department by the supplier, no later than 5pm on 30th September 2010. 

This is to allow sufficient time to spread lime which has been ordered prior to the closure of this scheme.  Claims made under the provisions of the other schemes must be received by the Department no later than 5pm on 31st March 2010. 

The Department will continue to consult with the agricultural industry and will keep the situation under review. 

The Department will shortly be consulting on a revised Farm and Horticultural Improvement Scheme, with options being considered for its’ funding.