Defra secretary of state Emma Reynolds used her speech at this week’s NFU conference to unveil changes in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) environmental scheme for 2026. #Defra #NFU #SustainableFarmingIncentive
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UK Government Reopens Revised Sustainable Farming Incentive with Funding Caps and Reforms The UK government has announced the relaunch of its flagship environmental payment programme for farmers, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), after its abrupt closure in March 2025 caused widespread concern across the agricultural sector. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds confirmed the scheme’s return at the National Farmers' Union (NFU) conference, stating that the revised programme aims to balance environmental protection with food production. The SFI, which replaced EU agricultural subsidies after Brexit, pays farmers in England to carry out environmentally beneficial practices such as soil protection, hedgerow restoration and nature recovery. The updated scheme will be smaller in scope, reducing the number of funded environmental actions from 102 to 71. Individual farm agreements will also be capped at £100,000. Reynolds said these changes are intended to ensure funding is distributed more fairly, after assessments showed that 25% of funds had gone to just 4% of farms. The government plans to prioritize smaller farms and those without existing environmental agreements when applications reopen in June, with other farmers eligible to apply from September. Payments for moorland grazing will increase. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said reforms are designed to make the scheme more accessible, particularly to tenant farmers. Farming organizations broadly welcomed the announcement. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the revised scheme strikes a better balance between simplification and flexibility. However, concerns remain about whether the allocated budget will meet demand and whether long-term funding stability can be guaranteed. Additional government support includes £120 million for research, innovation and advanced agricultural technology, signaling a broader effort to strengthen productivity and resilience in British farming.

UK Government Reopens Revised Sustainable Farming Incentive with Funding Caps and Reforms

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#ukfarming #sustainablefarmingincentive #agriculturalpolicy

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SFI Confirmed to Return in 2026: What we know so far | Terrafarmer Defra has confirmed the Sustainable Farming Incentive will reopen later this year. Hugo Ellis explains what we know so far and what’s still to be confirmed, as well as a few sensible steps you can tak...

Defra has announced that the Sustainable Farming Incentive will reopen later this year.

Here, TF's Will Marris explains what we know, what’s still to be confirmed, and some sensible steps you can take to get ready.

terrafarmer.co.uk/sfi-confirme...

#SFI #SustainableFarmingIncentive #FarmingUK

Biostimulant specialist Orion Future Technologies is calling for greater clarity for farmers and growers over the use of silicon biostimulants within the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. #OrionFT #SustainableFarmingIncentive
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Looks like the #SustainableFarmingIncentive will be drastically cut for all but the smallest farms in the #spendingreview Such a short sightedness - and horrific for biodiversity in our country which this funds.

A handful of farmers have received positive news after finding out that their in-progress #SustainableFarmingIncentive applications may now be finished and submitted.

The scheme was unfairly and abruptly closed in March this year, despite farmers being told they would receive 6 weeks notice.

On Friday, we published a blog that considers the possible impact of the government's announcement to pause the #SustainableFarmingIncentive.

Read this opinion piece to gain insights from our experts on how this might affect the farming community and wider sustainable food production in the UK 👇

The recent announcement from Defra that they will no longer be accepting applications for the #SustainableFarmingIncentive has come as a huge blow to our members.

You can read our full response here: landworkersalliance.org.uk/defra-announ...

Image of #Vredo Seed Drill and #Fendt tractor on #Grassland in #UK

Throwback to late summer, planting SAM3 Herb & Legume mixes into #grassland for a customer, as part of the #SustainableFarmingIncentive, in #Devon UK

Tractor is a #Fendt 828 on #Michelin Roabibs, #SeedDrill is a #Vredo Agri-Twin 5.8E