Six new standards have been introduced to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, meaning farmers can now choose from nine actions to get paid for in 2023.

When the SFI - which is the UK government's post-Brexit answer to the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) - was introduced in June 2022 it began with three actions, called 'standards', that farmers can undertake to get paid through the scheme.

These first three standards are: The improved grassland soils standard and arable and horticultural soils standard, both offering payments rates for introductory and intermediate levels, and the moorland standard, offered at introductory level.

Now, in 2023, the following standards join the list:

As farmers are able to upgrade their SFI agreements annually, those already participating in the scheme can add new standards into their agreements.

More standards under the SFI are expected in the future, with the full offer due to be in place by 2025.

The low input grassland standard, improved grassland standard and arable and horticultural land standard were originally set to be introduced in 2024, however it has been brought forward to help farmers.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey, who today (Thursday, January 26) set out these new actions, commented:

“Farmers are at the heart of our economy - producing the food on our tables as well as being the custodians of the land it comes from.  

“These two roles go hand-in-hand and we are speeding up the roll out of our farming schemes so that everyone can be financially supported as they protect the planet while producing food more sustainably.”