The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, recently launched the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme.
He said: “As part of our response to support the production of protein crops in Ireland, I am delighted to launch the Protein/Cereal Mix Scheme. Supporting domestic production of protein crops will reduce Ireland’s reliance on imported feed materials,” he said. “A budget of EUR 1.2 million is available for the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme and to guarantee a payment of EUR 300 per hectare for the protein crops under the EU Protein Aid Scheme. The payment rate for the Protein/Cereal Mix crop will be EUR 150 per hectare. These payments reflect a contribution towards the increase in the cost of growing crops in 2022.”
He also elaborated on the launch of the Tillage Incentive Scheme announced in April 2022. “The Tillage Incentive Scheme is a new scheme introduced as part of our response to the cost increases currently facing Irish farmers. The Scheme terms and conditions have now been updated to clarify the treatment of protein crops, to address queries relating to land not declared in 2021 and to provide specific references to the Agricultural Appeals Office and the EU Temporary Crisis Framework.”
Supports for protein crops include:
1. The EU-funded Protein Aid Scheme
2. The nationally funded element of the Protein Aid Scheme
3. The nationally funded Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme
Eligible crops for the protein element of the seed mix are beans, peas and lupins while eligible cereals are wheat, oats, barley, rye and triticale.
Further information including terms and conditions and FAQ are available on the department website.