After the entire Window 2 SFI allocation was snapped up in just six hours, Defra has defended its SFI26 policy.
It pointed out that previously a quarter of SFI funding headed to just 4% of farms and that it reduced some payment rates for a number of actions in order to ensure the available budget could stretch further. But Defra acknowledges some farmers who wanted to join SFI26 will be disappointed not to have secured an agreement this year.
Defra will explore how it can improve the 2027 scheme, including alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027. Defra will look to open the 2027 offer as early as possible to ensure farmers can access funding.
In response, NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said: “Its closure in less than six hours shows the scale of demand there is from farmers to deliver for the environment and to invest in farm resilience.
“The current cashflow pressures facing farmers and growers only exacerbate that demand as they look for certainty and clarity for the year ahead. But those that missed out have been left with even greater uncertainty as the sector doesn’t have a commitment from government for SFI27 and access to Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. We know the uncertainty and financial pressure this creates for those businesses.
“We have warned Defra for months that the available budget would not meet the demand of those farmers wanting to deliver for the environment and sustainable farming. The additional funding announced by the Prime Minister in August was welcome, but with thousands of agreements ending this year, it was clear that it wasn’t enough to plug the gap in the budget needed and it fails many who have been committed to such schemes for many years.
“Yet again, Defra has created a position where there are the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in the sector based purely on the speed of pressing a button. This comes at the same time as the department says it wants a reset with the farming industry. Instead, it has further damaged business confidence that is already incredibly low.
“The Farming Minister’s response to the closure suggests that there will be further announcements and we look forward to hearing what these next stages are. These must come urgently, with clear information on what schemes will be available and when. For food producing businesses already questioning whether they can survive the year ahead, this clarity is critical.”
Farmers can still apply for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) funding via the Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
