Donegal farmers get payments under Protein Aid Scheme

Minister of State Joe McHugh has welcomed confirmation that payments for farmers in Donegal are now issuing under the Protein Aid Scheme.

“My colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, today announced that payments have commenced under the Protein Aid Scheme.

“The Scheme was introduced as a coupled support in 2015, as part of the implementation of the reformed CAP package in Ireland.

“The €3 million set aside for this Scheme is an important support for the production of protein crops here in Donegal and around Ireland and will be paid to over 1,000 farmers nationally, who are growing in excess of 12,000 ha of beans, peas and lupins. The rate for this year has been set at €246 / ha.”

He said this is a particularly important payment for growers in Donegal, considering the very difficult year experienced by the tillage sector.

“It also means that the animal feed compounders have a native source of protein available for inclusion in ruminant rations.

“Payments to farmers in are issuing almost two weeks earlier than last year, as the Government is acutely aware of the particular financial pressure being experienced on tillage farms this year”.

“Fine Gael in Government is committed to ensuring that farmers are supported and feel the benefits, as the economy continues to recover.”