Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme
The latest updates on Environmental Land Management schemes
Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 application dates revealed by Defra
Farmers and growers will be able to apply for the latest round of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) within weeks, as more details on timings for the start of the rollout are released by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Applications will be accepted from 18 September and farmers will be able to prepare for SFI 2023 by registering their interest from tomorrow (30 August) through the online Rural Payments service, according to Defra.
The dates provide certainty and pre-registration will ensure farmers are supported to have all necessary information in place, including online maps and land use/cover details, so they are ready for when the scheme starts to accept applications from 18 September 2023.
Updated actions
The SFI pays farmers for taking actions that support food production, farm productivity and resilience while protecting and enhancing the environment.
There are 23 actions on offer under the new and improved 2023 scheme, including on soil health, moorland, hedgerows, integrated pest management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low-input grassland.
Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said: “The Sustainable Farming Incentive is important for sustainability.- for production and profitability. With opening up the options, from mid-September for everyone, there is likely to be an opportunity for every eligible farmer to join SFI.”
Full details of the SFI 2023 were published in June this year in a detailed handbook, helping farmers to plan ahead for autumn.
Unlike existing and previous schemes where farmers have had to wait until the end of the first year of their agreement to receive any payment, payments under SFI 2023 will be paid quarterly to support farmers’ cashflow and activities required in the scheme.
Countryside Stewardship deadline extended
Following feedback from farmers, Defra has extended the application window for 2024 Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid-Tier agreements until Friday 15 September.
Farmers are able to be in SFI and CS at the same time as long as the actions are compatible, and they are not being paid for the same action twice.
Defra says the confirmed timeline for SFI allows time for some technical adjustments to ensure the service is as straightforward as possible and aligns with the extended closing date for CS.