DEFRA has announced the suspension of all new applications to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). This is a huge blow for farmers and land managers in England who were relying on SFI funding to help compensate for the reduction in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and support more nature-friendly farming practices. At a time when the sector is already facing significant challenges, this will cause uncertainty and a loss of confidence in future schemes. This decision was totally unexpected and does not help the long-term planning that farmers need to run successful businesses. It is the first time in decades when there is no available scheme open for applications to support good environmental land management. The nature crisis is with us now, the need is urgent.

DEFRA has confirmed that details of a revised SFI scheme will be announced in summer 2025. We hope that DEFRA stand by their word and deliver a reformed scheme as quickly as possible that will be more targeted towards delivering greater gains for nature where it is needed most.