asked the Minister for Agriculture if an estimate has been made of the total amount of ground limestone required to correct acidity in agricultural land and the subsequent annual requirements, and further, if he will state the present annual output of limestone grinding plants, and if he will take steps to increase the output.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ground Limestone Requirements.
Mr. Walsh
It is estimated that an immediate application of about 12,000,000 tons of ground limestone with an annual replacement thereafter of 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 tons would be required to bring the lime status of our soils to a desirable level. The present annual output is approximately 550,000 tons and could be increased by about 50 per cent. if the demand was spread evenly over the year. Consideration is at present being given as to the best means of increasing the demand for and the output of ground limestone.