An increase in funding for the protein aid scheme has been sought by the Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG).

In a letter to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his Department, the IGGG called for a minimum payment of €350/ha to be guaranteed for this year.

The protein aid scheme is Ireland’s only coupled payment. Last year 749 farmers received almost €3m to grow protein crops such as beans, peas and lupins. The scheme has been hailed as “one of the few success stories of Irish Agriculture over the last four years” by the IGGG.

Area

Prior to its introduction in 2014, the total area planted with peas and beans was 3,500ha. This almost tripled to 10,700ha when the payment began. Preliminary figures for 2020 published by the Department last week show the bean and pea area is around 13,800ha.

The provisional figures have raised fears that the payment will be lower this year as funds are spread across a greater number of hectares. The IGGG said there was scope to further increase the fund in light of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy which seeks to reduce the bloc’s reliance on imported protein.

Aims

The IGGG believes Ireland should aim to double the current protein crop area within five years.

Outlining the benefits to the Minister, the IGGG letter states: “Along with providing an extra break crop in tillage farmers’ rotations, legumes fix nitrogen into the soil and has reduced chemical nitrogen requirement by over 1,200 tonnes of CAN equivalent, not to mention the reduction in nitrogen requirement in the following crop.

“Most bean/pea straw is chopped, adding carbon to the soil. There is also a reduction in chemical use and increased biodiversity and pollinators. Beans/peas are excellent for pollinators such as bees, ladybirds and insects.”

The group also highlighted that some Irish merchants had altered their feed rations to include more Irish proteins, with some actively seeking crops with a view to developing an “Irish GM free ration”.