Closure of Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme Sparks Fury among Farmers and Conservationists

Strategic Insights -

The announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in mid-March that the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme had been fully allocated for this year and would no longer accept new applications has been met with widespread criticism from farmers and conservationists. The SFI, a flagship nature-friendly farming payments scheme, was designed to provide support for "public goods" such as insecticide-free farming, wildflower strips, and managing ponds and hedgerows. However, the sudden closure of the scheme has left many farmers in uncertainty, with some expressing concern that they will struggle to make ends meet.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SFI scheme was fully allocated by mid-March, with 50,000 farm businesses participating in the new Environmental Land Management (ELMS) programme, which has replaced EU-era farming subsidies.
  • The scheme's closure has been met with criticism from farmers, conservationists, and politicians, with many expressing concern about the impact on farm businesses and the environment.
  • Organic farmer Ben Andrews has called the move a "shattering blow" to the sector, stating that farmers were willing to give the government a chance before the election, but the sudden closure of the scheme has eroded trust.
  • Food security minister Daniel Zeichner has stated that the government plans to "redesign" the programme and has encouraged farmers to participate, despite criticism over the roll-out and provision of payment options for wealthier arable farms.
  • The NFU President Tom Bradshaw has argued that farmers now face an "awful dilemma" of whether to prioritize environmental work or farm as hard as they can to survive.
  • North Herefordshire MP Ellie Chowns has expressed concern about the sudden termination of the SFI and the impact on farmers, stating that the government should announce a newly designed scheme soon to support nature-friendly farming.

Statistics:

  • 50,000 farm businesses participated in the ELMS programme, the highest level ever recorded.
  • The SFI scheme was fully allocated by mid-March, with no new applications being accepted.
  • The scheme provided support for "public goods" such as insecticide-free farming, wildflower strips, and managing ponds and hedgerows.
  • The UK government has inherited an uncapped scheme, despite a finite budget, which has led to criticism over the program's roll-out and provision of payment options.
  • The ELMS programme has been criticized for providing greater support to wealthier arable farms than hill farmers.

Sources:

  • DEFRA (2023)
  • North Herefordshire MP Ellie Chowns (2023)
  • The NFU (2023)
  • Food security minister Daniel Zeichner (2023)
  • Organic farmer Ben Andrews (2023)