In the interests of minimizing the requirements for other nutrients and controlling acidification of water resources, a pH of 6.5 for mineral soils and 5.5 for peat soils is the target. For beet, beans and peas the pH target is 7. On high molybdenum soils, planners should reduce the lime requirement by 5 tonnes per hectare. In soils derived from carboniferous shales, the planner may reduce the lime requirement by up to 5 tonnes per hectare. In any case on carboniferous shales that are located in high molybdenum areas, the overall maximum reduction allowed is 5 tonnes per hectare. This must also be stated in the "comments by planner" section of the plan. If the soil analysis results show a lime requirement of 1 tonne per hectare or less there is no requirement to apply lime. Lime must not be applied to blanket bogs, raised bogs or heather moorland.

The planner may exercise discretion in relation to the liming of lands that are extensively farmed or marginal in nature. The maximum permitted level of chemical N per hectare (on a field or plot) that may be used on grassland, where this discretion is exercised, is 40kg per hectare per annum. Where this discretion is exercised, it must be stated in the plan under "Comments by Planner".

The maximum amount of lime that can be spread over the duration of a 5-year period is 12 tonnes per hectare. In any case, a single lime dressing should not exceed 6 tonnes per hectare. Any ground limestone material must meet all the requirements (i.e. T.N.V., fineness, moisture content) for ground limestone as laid down in S.I. 248 of 1978. The only other liming materials that may be used are burnt/hydrated lime, sugar factory lime and calcified seaweed. Ground limestone with a declared fineness of 100% less than 0.1mm in granulated form may be considered three times more effective than standard ground limestone. Such granulated lime products must be spread annually, at the rate appropriate to the lime requirement indicated in the soil analysis results.

For example a soil sample indicates a lime requirement of 12 tonnes per hectare. The equivalent requirement of granulated lime is 4 tonnes per hectare (12 divided by 3). This requirement must be spread in equal amounts every year for the period of the contract, i.e. 4 tonnes divided by 5 equals 0.8 tonnes per hectare per annum. Queries relating to other liming materials and their neutralizing values should be directed to the regional inspector.

At least half of the recommended level must be applied during year 1 or year 2 of the REPS plan, with the remainder being applied before the end of the fourth year of the plan and this must be clearly stated on the plan. However, where the specified lime requirement is 5 tonnes per hectare or less, this must be applied before the end of the second year of the plan. There is no requirement to apply lime to rented lands.