Defra announces further changes to the SFI 2024 scheme

Further changes to the way the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) operates for farmers in England have been announced in a series of updates from Defra.

Details of the latest SFI terms and conditions for 102 actions available have been posted on Defra’s website, together with updated guidance on what farmers and land managers need to do.

See also: New, streamlined SFI 2024 scheme set for early June rollout

Among the changes is the inclusion of more options that will be subject to a “25% cap”.

Last March, Defra identified six options which would be limited to a maximum of 25% of the farmed area, in order to protect food production.

These included flower-rich grass areas, pollen and nectar flower mixes, winter bird food on arable land and improved grassland, and grassy field corners or blocks.

Now added to these are in-field grass strips, bumblebird mix, unharvested cereal headland, and cultivated areas for arable plants. 

Another change includes the introduction of new codes for the various SFI options on offer.

Steph Emmerson of the Farm Consultancy Group in Chippenham said: “SFI is becoming more and more complex, not only in drawing up the schemes, but also in submitting the applications on the portal. 

“We have encountered a number of errors with the system which then require numerous phone calls and emails back and forth with the Rural Payments Agency [RPA] to resolve them.”

New capital grants

As well as updating the terms and conditions of some SFI options, Defra has added to its list of capital grants available under the various agri-environment schemes (including SFI), with a particular emphasis on tree planting.

For example, Defra is offering £5.40 to plant an agroforestry woodland tree, and £17.83 for an agroforestry fruit tree.

Some £1,268 is also available to develop an agroforestry plan, and £918 for a moorland mapping plan.

Defra has also created new voluntary advice for each SFI action, which explains good practice.

“This guidance is optional and is there to help,” said a spokesman. “You don’t have to follow it. It’s part of our overall approach to making SFI less prescriptive than previous schemes.”

First schemes

The updates came as Defra announced that the first SFI 2024 agreements are now live.

Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: “This is the first step to increase farmer confidence, as part of our new deal for farmers, to boost Britain’s food security, restore nature and support rural economic growth.”

NFU deputy president David Exwood agreed that seeing SFI 2024 now live was “a good step” on the path to restoring confidence among British farmers.

But there is some dismay that Defra is still persisting with its controlled rollout of SFI.

This means anyone interested still has to register an “expression of interest” with the RPA, before being “invited” to apply.

It had previously been suggested by Defra that general applications would be possible from 22 July, but this is being delayed.

Julia Aglionby of the Foundation For Common Land said: “This all just adds complexity which, for small farms and commoners in particular, may act as a friction on joining the scheme.”