Track the progress of our lobbying work since the government closed the SFI for new applicants in 2025, announcing that it would develop a new, reformed offer for 2026.
NFU calls for accessible offer during Efra Committee session
During a session on ELMs held at the NFU's Westminster office, we discussed the need for a comprehensive and accessible new SFI offer with MPs on the committee.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw with Efra Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael
NFU launches survey on what a future SFI should look like
We call on our members to take our survey and help shape our lobbying efforts on SFI.
Defra unveils further details at the Oxford Farming Conference
Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds outlines the reforms to SFI during her speech at the Oxford Farming Conference. There will be two application windows this year. The first one will open in June and will prioritise ‘smaller farms’ and those without an existing ELMs agreement; the second round will open in September for a wider range of applications.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said it was positive to hear the Defra Secretary talk about “much-needed plans to reform the SFI” but warned that a huge lack of detail remains.
Photograph: Oxford Farming Conference
NFU calls for more clarity on SFI26
As the RPA announces its payment performance on Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments, the NFU continues to call for more clarity on the future of SFI.
NFU welcomes ‘encouraging signals’ from Defra Secretary on SFI
Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds says she's committed to delivering stability and would be looking at ways the SFI scheme could be altered to better support sustainable farming and drive growth.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood says the announcement that SFI will open in the first half of 2026 is welcome, but that further details "can't come soon enough".
Uplands groups present new report to MPs, with SFI marked as a top priority
The groups deliver the recent NFU report setting out the essential foundations of a resilient uplands area and the policies needed to enable this.
NFU members talked to their MPs about the particular challenges of managing these iconic landscapes, the crucial role farm businesses play in our rural communities and the urgent need to make the SFI work for our uplands.
NFU secures Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier rollover for thousands of farmers
The NFU secures a one-year extension for CSMT, giving businesses certainty while the reformed SFI offer is still being developed.
Concerns highlighted to new Tenant Farming Commissioner
The NFU is the first to welcome new Tenant Farming Commissioner Alan Laidlaw into his role during a visit to Deputy President David Exwood's farm.
Key among the issues David raises with the Commissioner is the uncertainty around future environmental schemes, particular for those in the uplands.
(L-R), David Exwood (NFU Deputy President), Martin Lines (CEO of Nature Friendly Farming Network), Gavin Lane (Deputy President of the CLA), Emma Reynolds (Secretary of State), George Dunn (TFA Chief Exec), Alan Laidlaw (Defra Tenant Farming Commissioner). Photograph: Crown Copyright.
Uncertainty over agri-enivronment schemes raised with new Defra Secretary
Emma Reynolds, MP for Wycombe, is appointed as the new Defra Secretary of State following a Cabinet reshuffle.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets with her during her first day in post. The meeting covers a variety of issues including the continued uncertainty of agri-environment schemes.
NFU presses Farming Minister at Great Yorkshire Show
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner alongside NFU members where they discuss the future of SFI, support for upland farmers and the importance of water for food production and abstraction.
Defra commits to provide more details on reformed SFI offer
The NFU urges Defra to ensure that the updated SFI scheme works for all farmers after Defra Secretary Steve Reed said details on the reformed scheme would be available this summer during a speech at Groundswell.
SFI scheme reopens to 1000s of applicants after legal threats from NFU members
Defra is forced to reopen SFI24 to around 3,000 applicants after a group of NFU-backed farmers threatens litigation over its decision to close the scheme without notice.
NFU presents member feedback to Defra
The NFU surveys its members on SFI. Feedback was subsequently presented to the both the Minister and officials.
NFU hosts roundtable with Farming Minister on SFI
A farming roundtable organised by the NFU meets with Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister Daniel Zeichner to explain the crushing impact of Defra’s decision to close SFI applications and raise the urgent need for transparency from the department.
NFU member case studies, gathered since the news of the closure, are presented to Mr Zeichner during the meeting, to demonstrate the direct impact this will have on businesses.
NFU criticises sudden closure of SFI to new applicants
The NFU has branded Defra a “failing department” after it announced, without warning, that it is no longer accepting new applications for SFI24 as of today.
Defra says the SFI24 budget has been allocated, and that it has therefore reached completion.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw warns that this is “another shattering blow to English farms delivered, yet again, with no warning, no understand of the industry and a complete lack of compassion or care”.