€3 million in payments have commenced under the 2020 Protein Aid Scheme, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced.
Confirming the news today (Thursday, December 10), Minister McConalogue said:
“I am delighted to confirm that payments are now issuing under the 2020 Protein Aid Scheme.
The financial aid provided under this scheme for the growing of beans, peas and lupins helps to deliver environmental benefits and provide an indigenous source of protein for animal feed.
Continuing, the minister added: “€3 million has been set aside for the Protein Aid Scheme again this year, and payments are now commencing for the approximately 1,000 applicants.
“The rate for this year has been set at €215/ha, and this payment represents an important support for tillage farmers,” Minister McConalogue concluded.
€1 million fund launched for farm safety projects
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for farm safety Martin Heydon yesterday announced the launch of a €1 million call for proposals for innovative farm health, safety and wellbeing projects under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP).
Minister Heydon commented: “Fatal accidents on farms account for nearly 50% of all workplace fatal incidents each year, despite farms only accounting for 6% of the workforce.
As the first government minister with specific responsibility for farm safety, I want to put safety at the heart of our farms and I want farmers to be centrally involved in how we do that.
“That is why I am delighted to be launching a call under the EIP, specifically related to farm health safety and wellbeing.”