It is reported that at 6.24pm on Tuesday 11th March, an email from DEFRA to stakeholders announced the immediate closure of the SFI application process.
Policy which has been moulded over two decades appears to have been removed and an end to the idea of a broad environment scheme, which could be accessible to all English Farmers who were interested has ended, with immediate effect.
For 2026, a new scheme is now being rumoured to focus on land, which is less productive, off the back of the recent Land Use Consultation. More details on this will follow but the early talk is that it is not as much as a “open for all” scheme as the recently removed SFI.
This unexpected announcement, in the absence of any consultation is an experience which we are becoming all too familiar with. Another major change, which in turn is undoubtedly going to cause short term uncertainty, not an ideal position for a generational farm business, looking to plan for effective and sustainable land management.
Steve Reed’s speech at the NFU Conference on 25th February and accompanying papers did not mention SFI. SFI has largely been unmentioned in official communications.
LACK OF TRUST
Trust in those making the decisions has reached an all time low. Any new DEFRA policy may not have the intended uptake, particularly if there is no certainty of it remaining stable and available for the long term.
Many farmers have invested time of their own and others in preparing applications, with the view that they would too also join the SFI scheme, particularly with BPS payment rates now dropping significantly following the Autumn Budget a very real and immediate effect for many, which perhaps hasn’t been as well reported as that of IHT changes.
For anyone who is preparing an SFI application, our advice unfortunately is to stop doing so, unless one is already submitted. Turning to any new schemes, as soon as more information is available, we will share this. It’s a very disappointing and worrying time and anyone who is concerned, please do contact us, or reach out to our wider agricultural support network, including the Agricultural Chaplaincy – https://www.agchap.com/ 07967 559 594 or talk@agchap.com