Sustainable Farming Incentive closure devastates farming incomes, CLA poll shows
A POLL of CLA (Country Land and Business Association) members has found almost 95% of
respondents were looking to apply for more Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options before it
was suddenly closed.
The sudden closure of the scheme last month sent shockwaves through rural communities, with a
CLA survey now revealing the widespread impact and damage it will have on farming incomes.
Of the 312 respondents:
• Nearly 95% intended to apply for more options in the expanded offer
• 54% are currently in an SFI agreement
• 40% are not but intended to apply for options in the expanded offer.
Only 4.5% of those who answered the survey were content that they had achieved all they
wanted from the SFI scheme.
Many businesses who took part in the survey were taking advice to prepare their SFI application,
and had already invested in professional advisers, before it suddenly closed. Others have
agreements ending this year, and will not be able to apply for another scheme until next year.
Victoria Vyvyan, President of the Country Land and Business Association, said:
“No farmer can plan for an environmentally sustainable farming future when rules change
overnight. Without the management contracts which were promised, many face a cash crisis. Work
to restore soil, protect nature and cut emissions costs money, and so in the absence of funding there
is a danger that important projects will be shelved.”
“Trust must be rebuilt and the new SFI must be negotiated quickly. The future of sustainable
farming depends on it.”
CLA Director North Harriet Ranson said:
“The shock announcement of the scrapping of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which has
always been billed as a rolling application window, demonstrated yet again the lack of
understanding this Government has of farming calendars, lengthy production cycles and their
dismissal of farmers mental health and wellbeing.”
“Not withstanding the lack of respect shown to those whose businesses are impacted in the way
in which it was communicated, it is a move that will damage the UK’s food security and our
commitments to nature recovery and environmental targets.”
“The loss of SFI represents a destructive blow to farmers across the North, especially those in
upland areas who have always taken a back seat when it comes to farming support. Farming support
schemes can’t simply be switched on and off without there being major consequences, especially for
smaller farmers.”
“The CLA will fight tooth and nail to seek constructive change, and the CLA will share the survey
results with government ministers and advisers to demonstrate the real-life impact this closure is
having on rural businesses, and the strength of feeling about the decision. We will also continue to
engage with ministers and MPs to try and mitigate the impact of these changes, as well as shape
future schemes.”
