Protein Aid Scheme

The Protein Aid Scheme is a payment to farmers for growing beans, peas, and lupins. These crops, which are nitogren-fixing, provide important environmental benefits. They are also a domestically-produced source of protein for animal feed.

• Submit a valid 2023 BISS and other area-based schemes application declaring their land located within the jurisdiction of Ireland, grow the crops eligible for support and apply for Protein Aid.

• Have eligible crops declared on the BISS application, as set out below.

• beans
• peas
• lupins
• Soyabean
• Protein/cereal mix crop

• The Protein/Cereal Mix Crop is a crop that has a seed mix with protein crop seed accounting for at least 50% of the seeding rate and the remainder made up of a cereal seed.

You must comply with the Terms and Conditions.

The payment rate depends on uptake but is likely to be in the region of €500-€590 per hectare for beans, peas, lupins, and soya in 2023. The protein/cereal mix crop is expected to be paid at half the full protein crop rate i.e. €250-€270 per hectare. The rate of aid payable varies each year.

You apply for Protein aid as part of the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

A farmer may submit their own application in conjunction with their BISS application, if they so wish, or they can employ a FAS approved advisor to do so on their behalf.

To apply online, login or register at agfood.ie

You must apply by midnight on 29 May 2023.

If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed please contact the Department’s helpdesk as set out below.

Agfood Online Services Helpdesk

Address: Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co Cavan, H12 D459

Website: www.agfood.ie

Email: agfood@agriculture.ie

The Protein Terms and Conditions are contained within the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability and related area-based scheme Terms and Conditions.

BISS and other area related schemes