GSC Grays has said the 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offered more opportunities for farmers, following the release of the scheme’s 2024 details.
Details of the 2024 SFI offer were recently released in a 266-page document, with GSC Grays saying farmers who secured their applications under the 2023 regime will benefit from greater flexibility and the ability to top up with the new options coming in September.
The 2024 offer will be open to expressions of interest from this month and, for the first time, there is no requirement to have been a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claimant.
SFI 2024 agreements will last for either three or five years, depending on the length of the longest-term action.
GSC Grays head of farm business, Robert Sullivan, said farmers need support now more than ever, despite the scheme’s intention to be easy for farmers to manage.
“Given the increasing complexity and frequent changes in the scheme, farmers need to stay informed and adapt accordingly,” he said.
“It is crucial for farmers to seek advice and thoroughly review the detailed guidance to navigate the 102 available actions effectively.
“There are 23 new actions, 22 are carried over from the 2023 scheme with 57 progressing from Countryside Stewardship (CS) mid-tier.”
‘Complex process’
Sullivan said the “complexity of the process” demands careful planning to avoid pitfalls and ensure compliance.
“Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has confirmed that CS higher-tier will continue as a standalone scheme within Environmental Land Management (ELM) and holders of existing mid-tier and higher-tier CS agreements can end their agreements early,” he said.
“The launch of the no-till and precision farming options are also significant developments. Under the expanded scheme farmers can select any combination of SFI actions if their land (or landscape feature) is eligible.
“Each action sets out which other actions you can do on the same area of land.”
However, there are benefits to the new scheme, Sullivan said.
“Despite some constraints, the integration of Countryside Stewardship (CS) agreements into the SFI is a positive development.
“It offers shorter year agreements and improved cash flow, especially beneficial for tenant farmers.
“Additionally, the expanded eligibility to include those not previously eligible for BPS is a welcome change.”
With a General Election on July 4, further changes in agricultural policy may be on the horizon, Sullivan said.
“Farmers should remain alert and be prepared for additional adjustments in the farming sector that were previously protected under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).”
