Dublin, December 3, 2025 – Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD has confirmed the release of €9.5 million in payments under the 2025 Protein Aid Scheme, a key support initiative for Ireland’s tillage sector.
Boost for Sustainable Farming
The scheme incentivises the cultivation of nitrogen‑fixing crops such as beans, peas, lupins, soya, and protein cereal mixes, reducing reliance on imported protein for animal feed while delivering significant environmental benefits. Payments are set at €600 per hectare for beans, peas, lupins, and soya, and €300 per hectare for protein cereal mixes.
Minister Heydon highlighted the scheme’s popularity, noting that 18,000 hectares have been sown to protein crops this year. He described the increased payment rate as recognition of the crops’ dual role in supporting farm incomes and advancing Ireland’s sustainability goals.
EU‑Funded Support
The Protein Aid Scheme is a voluntary coupled support programme funded by the EU under Article 33 of Regulation 2021/2115. For 2025, €10 million has been allocated, with payments now issuing to approximately 1,586 applicants. While not all applications have yet cleared, regular pay runs will continue in the coming weeks to ensure timely processing.
Wider Sector Commitment
Minister Heydon linked the scheme to broader government measures, including the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and forthcoming dedicated funding for tillage. Together, he said, these initiatives will “drive the growth of tillage farming in Ireland,” positioning the sector as central to both food security and climate action.
Practical Details
Payments may take up to five days to reach farmers’ accounts. Queries can be directed to the Department’s Helpdesk (057‑8674422), via www.agfood.ie, or by email to [email protected].
Significance
The commencement of Protein Aid payments underscores Ireland’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, reduced import dependency, and farmer resilience, while aligning national policy with EU climate and food security objectives.
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