Rapid Sustainable Farming Incentive closure “shambolic”

The Soil Association is calling on the government to increase SFI26 funding and reform it so it sparks a transformation to nature-friendly farming. This follows disappointment after the entire £233m budget available was spent within six hours on day one – leaving many farmers and land managers locked out from support.

On 22 September, farming minister Stephen Morgan closed his statement with: “We're with farmers all the way, and we'll set out more on the next steps for SFI in 2027 soon." 

The charity is now urging the government to give clarity as soon as possible on the scheme availability for funding in 2027 and calls for short term fixes following yesterday’s tiny window for applications. It is also urging government to reform the scheme so that funding is ring-fenced for options that deliver the most, including organic.

“The message for government is loud and clear – farmers want to farm more sustainably and protect nature, but there is not a big enough budget available. There should not be this level of panic for farmers to get help to do the right thing,” said Soil Association Policy Director Brendan Costelloe.

He continued: “For farmers to have such a tiny window to apply to the Sustainable Farming Incentive is shambolic.

“We are concerned about the implications for the whole farming sector and disappointed that this could prevent farmers from converting to organic.”

The Soil Association calls for the treasury to recognise the need for funding for food and farming and delivery of environmental commitments in the forthcoming budget.

And for some funding to be ringfenced for higher tiers and options that deliver the most, including organic, so that the SFI delivers highest impact.

The UK saw a rise in conversion to organic this year, but this was led by Scotland, where there is a funded Organic Action Plan and a separate fund for organic conversion and no land cap for funding. 

SFI closure “disheartening” in face of climate change

Costelloe added: “When we’re facing a nature and climate crisis, it really is disheartening that so many farmers who wanted support to do something about it have been locked out, and this has implications for food security and the environment. 

“Defra has recognised that organic has proven benefits for protecting soils and nature, but it is a long-term commitment, and government needs to dedicate funding for conversion so farmers can make the shift. 

“And the government needs to increase the size of the budget overall to reflect the scale both the nature and climate crisis and the scale of demand from farmers who want and need to address the problems.”