The Sustainable Farming Incentive launches in June 2022

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is one of DEFRA’s three new environmental land management schemes.  The aim of the scheme is to support farmers to become more sustainable and to increase food productivity for the long term. Through the scheme DEFRA want to make sure that farmers have what they need to maintain the very highest levels of health and welfare for their animals and the environment.

 Standards and payment rates for 2022-2023

For full SFI scheme information visit the DEFRA website however a summary of the the standards and payment rates that are available this year areas follows:

Arable and horticultural soils standard

• Introductory level paying £22 per hectare
• Intermediate level paying £40 per hectare

Improved grassland soils standard

• Introductory level paying £28 per hectare
• Intermediate level paying £58 per hectare

Moorland standard

• Introductory level only, paying £10.30 per hectare plus additional £265 per agreement  
• There is an additional payment of £6.15 per hectare for common land with its own agreement.

Applications will be made via the Rural Payments Agency on a rolling basis; so there is no annual deadline for applications, rather a farmer or landowner can apply when it makes sense for them in the course of their trading year.

Who is Eligible? 

Any Farmer eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be eligible to apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Also, tenants on a short-term rolling tenancy are eligible and can enter that land into the scheme, provided they expect to have management control of it for the duration of the agreement.

Land can be in both a Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement and Countryside Stewardship, but the actions must be compatible.

If you require more information about the SFI, to understand what it can do for your business or would like assistance in making your applications please don’t hesitate to contact Tom Cooper, Charlotte Martinson or Tori Clinch.