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Following on from the package of measures announced at the end of March and the launch of the Tillage Incentive Scheme in early April, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., has now launched the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme and updated the Terms and Conditions of the Tillage Incentive Scheme.

Minister McConalogue 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.”

Minister McConalogue added, “A budget of €1.2 million is available for the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme and to guarantee a payment of €300 per hectare for the protein crops under the EU Protein Aid Scheme. The payment rate for the Protein/Cereal Mix crop will be €150 per hectare.  These payments reflect a contribution towards the increase in the cost of growing crops in 2022.”

Minister McConalogue also added, “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.”

Farmers wishing to apply for the Tillage Incentive Scheme, Protein Aid and Protein/Cereal Mix (50/50) Crop Scheme should declare the eligible crops on their 2022 BPS application on www.agfood.ie by the closing date of 16th May 2022. The crops declared on your 2022 Basic Payment Scheme application will be the basis for entry into these schemes and for any future payments under the schemes.

Further information including terms and conditions and FAQ are available on the Department website.

Notes for Editor:

• 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.

• A rate of €300/hectare will be paid for beans, peas and lupins under the Protein Aid Scheme. The Protein/Cereal Mix crop will be paid €150 per hectare.
• In relation to the Protein/Cereal Mix Crop Scheme, the following should be noted:
  • Protein/Cereal Mix crop must have a seed mix with eligible protein crop seed accounting for at least 50% of the seeding rate and the remainder made up of a cereal seed.
  • 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.

• The updates to the Tillage Incentive Scheme Terms and Conditions include the following:
  • Clarification that there must be an increase in the total tillage crops grown on the holding in 2022 versus 2021. Tillage crops are defined as the Tillage Incentive Scheme eligible crops (i.e. oats, wheat, barley etc.), and protein crops (i.e. peas, beans, lupins and protein/cereal mix (50:50) crop).
  • Clarification that where the land being declared in 2022 was not on a BPS application in 2021, the Department may require evidence from the applicant to prove that the lands were not in crop production in 2021.
  • Provision for appeals to be sent to Agriculture Appeals Office.
  • Reference to the details of the scheme haven been notified to the European Commission in accordance with the EU Temporary Crisis Framework and outlining that overall aid shall not exceed €35,000 per undertaking.
• Farmers should declare the relevant crops on their 2022 BPS application along with all their other land for 2022 in the normal way.
• Based on the crops declared on the 2022 BPS application, the Department will write to eligible farmers in June 2022.

ENDS