News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick farmers will receive improved access to agricultural limestone, a vital resource for their fields, thanks to a new program announced today.

“Agricultural limestone is an important additive to enable and support a healthy farm field,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson. “The use of limestone contributes to improved soil health, greater productivity and supports the objectives of a more sustainable agriculture sector. This new program will help farmers pay for the transportation of lime to the farm from the suppliers. Farmers have been asking for this type of assistance and we are pleased to move forward with this initiative.”

The agricultural limestone transportation program is offered on a first come, first served basis and will reimburse a portion of the transportation cost incurred after April 1. The program is available for current agricultural land, newly cleared land and idle or abandoned farmland with a pH under 6.0 if all the other requirements are met. To qualify, the applicant must buy limestone from the closest supplier which provides the type required, as indicated by their soil analysis lab report.

“Considering the many high costs farmers have to deal with today, we welcome this new program,” said Eva Rehak, president of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick. “New Brunswick farmers help feed the province and the world. Anything we can do to assist them is a great idea.”

Primary agriculture producers with a valid Registered Professional Agriculture Producer registration, agriculture producer associations involved in primary agricultural production and Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous organizations involved in primary agricultural production are eligible to apply.

“We are very happy to hear about the new lime transportation assistance program from the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries,” said Joël Lamarche, president of the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick. “Farmers have been lobbying to have some sort of lime program reinstated for many years, and it is much needed by industry. Costs of farm inputs have been rising exponentially over the last few years, and it has been difficult for many farms to operate as they were previously. This program will be a great help to many farmers in the province and we would like to thank the department for putting this together.”

Program guidelines and applications forms is available on the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries website.