SFI26 Window 2 closes – NFU demands urgent answers
The NFU is calling for clarity and urgency from Defra after the rapid closure of SFI26 Window 2 less than six hours after opening, following the NFU’s repeated warnings of a lack of sufficient budget.
Defra announced that SFI26 Window 2 had closed on 22 September after opening that morning.
The window was closed when Defra had enough applications to allocate the full £233 million budget.
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said: “The rapid uptake of the scheme comes as no surprise. We have made the demand clear to Defra for some time. Its closure in less than six hours shows the scale of demand there is from farmers to deliver for the environment and to invest in farm resilience.”
“We have warned Defra for months that the available budget would not meet demand of those farmers wanting to deliver for the environment and sustainable farming.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
NFU warned Defra over limited budget
Robyn Munt continued: “The current cashflow pressures facing farmers and growers only exacerbates that demand as they look for certainty and clarity for the year ahead. But those that missed out have been left with even greater uncertainty as the sector doesn’t have a commitment from government for SFI27 and access to Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. We know the uncertainty and financial pressure this creates for those businesses.
“We have warned Defra for months that the available budget would not meet demand of those farmers wanting to deliver for the environment and sustainable farming. The additional funding announced by the Prime Minister in August was welcome, but with thousands of agreements ending this year, it was clear that it wasn’t enough to plug the gap in the budget needed and it fails many who have been committed to such schemes for many years.
“Yet again, Defra has created a position where there are the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in the sector based purely on the speed of pressing a button. This comes at the same time as the department says it wants a reset with the farming industry. Instead, it has further damaged business confidence that is already at rock bottom.”
Government promised more – but where is it?
Robyn Munt added: “The Farming Minister’s response to the closure suggests that there will be further announcements and we look forward to hearing what these next stages are.
“These must come urgently, with clear information on what schemes will be available and when. For food producing businesses already questioning whether they can survive the year ahead, this clarity is critical.”
NFU lobbying continues
The NFU has sought clarity for members on SFI at every turn from the future of the SFI scheme to the members in expiring agreements being able to gain crucial access to SFI26 Window 2.
Surveying members back in February provided us with the perspectives of more than 600 of our members, ensuring our asks on SFI were as closely aligned as possible to the needs of our members.
This centred around a key and irrevocable fact that the NFU has continued to lobby on – that current supplies will not fulfil the demand to match farmers’ ambitions to deliver for the environment across the ELM (Environmental Land Management) schemes.
Window 2’s short-lived application window will be used in future discussions with Defra to highlight the urgency of maximising the SFI budget going forward.
You can keep track of all NFU activity on SFI via our lobbying and advocacy timeline.
