Head of the Rural Services Team, Charlotte Ibbs, comments:
“The uncertainty surrounding the revised Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has left many farmers in a state of limbo, unable to plan their businesses with no knowledge around if they will be able to regain funding in the future. As many other environmental schemes now come to an end, those who were involved have been left wondering what options are going to be available to them.
“The promised announcements from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), which should have come over the summer, for the new SFI have not materialised and have only built on this uncertainty and tension. This, combined with the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax reliefs, has resulted in farmers’ confidence being at an all time low.
“At Bruton Knowles we have heard from clients who are now having to plan to remove field margins and other areas previously set aside to support wildlife and return them to production, as funding for these is no longer available. This is a huge loss, resulting in all of the good work achieved by previous stewardship schemes being reversed.
“In October last year, the UK committed to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 to support the global 30by30 target agreed at the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP15) in 2022[1]. However, the lack of current environmental stewardship schemes open for applications, and clarity over what the new SFI will be offering, is a huge backwards step.
“Many farmers take pride in the environmental progress they have made through previous schemes and are happy to see nature thriving on their farms. They are understandably frustrated at the lack of support and direction, being left with no choice but to remove unfunded environmental features.
“Transparency and an open dialogue are crucially needed within the sector to rebuild farmer’s confidence. A clear transition plan for the revised SFI could help reduce uncertainty, while bridging support could enable farmers to maintain and build on their environment progress rather than risk losing it.”
[1] 30by30 on land in England: confirmed criteria and next steps – GOV.UK