Protein Aid and Protein/Cereal Mix (50/50) Crop Scheme

Support for protein crops is provided to incentivise the growing of protein crops, to reduce the dependency on imported feed material. Supports for protein crops include three elements:

1. The EU funded Protein Aid Scheme,

2. The nationally funded element of the Protein Aid Scheme, and

3. The nationally funded Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme.

Farmers can prepare for the scheme by declaring the eligible crops- beans, peas, lupins and protein/cereal mix crop - on their 2022 Basic Payment Scheme online application. The Department will write to eligible farmers in June 2022 inviting them to apply for the scheme.

A sample of scheme applicants are selected for inspection each year.

You must comply with the conditions of the schemes.

You will be paid a rate of €300/hectare for beans, peas and lupins under the Protein Aid Scheme. The Protein/Cereal Mix crop will be paid €150/hectare.

Payments are likely to commence in December 2022.

If you do not meet all of the conditions of the scheme you may receive a reduced payment or no payment.

You must read the terms and conditions