SFI to re-open in two stages: CLA welcomes much-needed clarity
FiPL scheme also extended for three years, Defra announces, with £30m funding next year
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme will finally re-open to some farms this summer, Defra has confirmed.
The CLA has welcomed the update, as well as news that the popular Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme is to be extended by a further three years.
Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds is making the announcement at the annual Oxford Farming Conference, as well as outlining a new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to "support farmer groups in growing their businesses, building partnerships and sharing best practice".
She will set out how there will be two application windows for SFI in 2026, with the first from June prioritising smaller farms and those without an existing agreement, followed by a second round from September for wider applications.
Meanwhile the government will extend FiPL for three years, with £30 million in funding next year.
'Months of limbo'
CLA President Gavin Lane said:
“Finally we have some much-needed clarity on the short-term direction of Defra’s farming schemes after months of limbo.
“It is essential that all farmers can access the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme as soon as possible, regardless of farm type or size, to deliver the greatest benefits to the environment.
“We welcome news of a collaboration fund and are pleased the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has been extended, as CLA members have been using it to develop a wide range of projects that deliver for the environment and their businesses.
“The long-term vision for farming is key and we look forward to working with Defra in developing the recommendations in the farming profitability review and the upcoming farming roadmap.”
On the decision to only allow smaller farms to apply for the next round of SFI, Gavin added: "Smaller farms need support with advice, training, skills and facilitation, but this should be more nuanced than simple size designations which risk undermining the scheme’s ability to deliver environmental improvements at scale.
“The CLA urges Defra to focus on rewarding environmental outcomes rather than imposing arbitrary caps based on farm size. Incentives should remain proportionate to the scale of delivery to ensure fairness, efficiency and maximum impact for the environment.”
The CLA is concerned about the risks of over-simplification and is conscious of the need to focus on value for money for the taxpayer.
The Environment Secretary also set out plans exploring a transformation of England's uplands.
Building on research led by social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam in six upland areas during the past year, the government will work over the next two years – first in Dartmoor, then Cumbria. It will deliver "system-wide change, create farming clusters, explore new mutual funding models, and lay the foundations for new income streams, from nature-based enterprises to regenerative tourism and circular economy initiatives", Defra added.