Environmental groups react to suspension of SFI scheme

Farmers and environmental organisations are reeling after the Labour government’s decision to stop accepting new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme.

The move, announced on Tuesday March 11, halts SFI24 because the programme has reached its funding limit in the current budget cycle.

The SFI, which is part of the post-Brexit Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme, is designed to incentivise sustainable farming practices.

See also: NFU fury at Defra’s ‘shattering blow’ to farmers over SFI

Farmers who have not yet applied, now face an unclear path forward, with no guarantee of accessing future support at the same level.

Environmental reaction

Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, expressed his concerns over the growing complexity of the scheme.

“While it’s good news that so many farmers have been getting into schemes, many more have been prevented from accessing SFI due to overly complicated schemes that cannot be stacked together and the RPA being slow to process applications and queries,” he said.

“With so much focus on SFI to deliver public goods compared to other parts of the ELM scheme, it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to understand what they should do and where they fit in.”

Mr Lines also pointed to the delays faced by farmers, particularly those waiting for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to update their applications.

“This has left many farmers feeling frustrated and let down, with no clear opportunity to be rewarded for delivering public goods in the near future,” he said.

Direct attack 

Kerriann McLackland, head of estates at the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), described the announcement as a “devastating blow” for farmers and a “direct attack” on the environment, landscape, heritage, and the rural economy.

“Those farmers working tirelessly to produce food, alongside being custodians and restorers of our countryside, have been treated with contempt,” she said.

“Sadly, for some, I fear that this may be the final straw that sends some producers to the wall, especially those producing fabulous local food on a relatively small scale.”

“The government has said it wants to drive growth – no business can grow and thrive when the framework in which they are operating is smashed to pieces with no notice,” she said.

A spokesperson from the Wildlife Trusts said: “This immediate pause without warning has upturned the apple cart for many English farmers and will only undermine trust in Defra’s new farming schemes.

“The government is right to review the scheme because it does need to be strengthened, targeted, and made more ambitious over time. But this must be managed in a clear process for farmers which avoids a funding cliff edge.”

Uncertainty

Alice Groom, the RSPB’s head of sustainable land use policy, said: “We need farmers to be at the forefront of efforts to tackle the nature and climate crisis.

“Pausing new applications to the Sustainable Farming Incentive in England sows doubt and uncertainty that puts farming, nature and climate all in jeopardy.

“Missteps by the previous UK Government in the design of this scheme may have led us here, but recent handling has left farmers in limbo and done nothing to inspire confidence in this government’s ability to manage a just transition to nature-friendly farming.

“Fundamental reform of SFI is needed to ensure environmental delivery and value for money, as is the need to rebuild trust.

“The government must use this pause to reassess and realign SFI for long-term success, and use June’s spending review to put farming, food security and nature restoration on a stable footing for the future.”

Soil Association chief executive, Helen Browning, added: “This destructive move by government seriously risks the viability of the organic sector and threatens the supply of sustainable British food.

“It has frozen farmers out of the opportunity to meet the rising demand for organic food, which will instead continue to be met by imports.

“The government is disregarding what shoppers and farmers want, alongside the need to protect nature.”