Defra pushes back SFI launch to mid-September

Defra has delayed the launch of its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for eligible farmers in England to mid-September.

Farmers Weekly exclusively revealed last Wednesday (23 August) that technical issues looked likely to push back the opening of the scheme into September.

This is despite repeated assurances all year from senior Defra civil servants and ministers that the scheme would be ready in August.

See also: Defra to launch 23 actions under SFI 2023 from August

Now Defra has confirmed farmers and land managers claiming basic payments can sign up for the 2023 SFI scheme from Monday 18 September.

But they can register their interest to join the scheme from Wednesday 30 August through the online Rural Payments service.

Defra says pre-registration will ensure farmers are supported to have all necessary information in place, including online maps and land use/cover details, so they are ready for when the scheme starts to accept applications.

“The Sustainable Farming Incentive is important for sustainability – for production and profitability,” said Defra secretary Therese Coffey.

“With opening up the options from mid-September for everyone, there is likely to be an opportunity for every eligible farmer to join the SFI.”

There are 23 actions on offer under the new and improved 2023 scheme, including on soil health, moorland, hedgerows, integrated pest management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low-input grassland.

Responding to the announcement on X, NFU vice-president David Exwood said: “It’s important that we now have a start date for SFI 23, but this means most farmers will not receive SFI payments this year, one of the key tests for delivery.

“When they need to most, farmers are not able to access schemes that have replaced BPS.”