Defra scraps EOI requirement for the SFI scheme

Defra has scrapped the expression of interest (EOI) requirement for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, meaning farmers in England can now apply directly online for the expanded 2024 SFI offer.

Previously, applicants had to wait for an invitation from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) after completing an EOI.

Now, farmers can apply directly through the Rural Payments Service online.

The NFU and Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) have both welcomed the move.

It is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays and make it easier for farmers to access the scheme, streamlining the application process.

See also: SFI 2024 update: All you need to know

NFU deputy president David Exwood said: “The NFU welcomes the removal of the expression of interest process, which has been in place longer than anyone would have liked.

“However, we still have concerns over the speed of conversion from initial applications being submitted, to the SFI agreements being offered.

“It’s more important than ever now that those applications in the system are processed quickly, especially with the effective removal of delinked payments, to allow agreements to start as soon as possible.

“Cashflow and confidence in SFI are crucial in helping farmers plan for 2025 and beyond.”

TFA chief executive George Dunn said his organisation was continuing to advise its members to press ahead with getting into the SFI, given that at least in that way they can secure their payments for the next three years regardless what happens to the overall budget.

“The removal of the expression of interest stage will make things smoother in terms of making applications, although there are still problems for common land,” he added.

The expanded SFI offer is not yet available for common land.

Farmers on commons are advised to contact the RPA for guidance on applying.

They should use the subject line “Expanded Offer Commons Interest” in their emails to ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk.

However, farmers on moorland commons can still apply for CMOR1 actions, which assess the condition of the moorland.

And they can apply for the expanded offer for non-common land through a separate agreement.

Latest SFI figures

Since May 2024, 16,600 farmers and land managers in England have submitted an EOI for the expanded SFI offer, with 15,500 invitations sent out.

Of those invited, about 6,800 applications have been submitted.

More than 2,700 agreements have started, with farmers accepting their offers and beginning to deliver actions.

In total, about 27,000 applications were made for the 2023 SFI offer.

About 25,300 of those have moved forward with implementing the actions outlined in their agreements.

The RPA has made around 41,000 payments, totalling £204m, to farmers whose SFI agreements started between October and July.

Payments are being made on a quarterly basis.