Stuart Anderson, local South Shropshire candidate, is encouraging farmers in Shropshire and beyond to sign up to receive support from a flexible support scheme, the ‘Sustainable Farming Incentive’ (SFI). The scheme pays farmers for actions that support food production and can help to improve farm productivity and resilience, while protecting and improving the environment. Farmers can apply from 18 September and start registering their interest from 30 August through the online Rural Payments service. The dates provide certainty for farmers, with the pre-registration period ensuring they are supported to have all necessary information in place, including online maps and land use / cover details, so that they are ready for when applications open.
There are 23 actions on offer under the new and improved 2023 scheme – more than twice as many new actions as originally planned. This includes soil health and moorland, as well as new actions on hedgerows, integrated pest management, nutrient management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low input grassland. When adopted at scale, these actions will support sustainable food production and contribute towards the environmental targets set out in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan. Farmers can choose their own combination of actions in a new ‘pick and mix’ structure. Payments will be made quarterly so as to better support farmers’ cashflow and the activities required as part of the scheme. Farmers will also receive a new SFI management payment (£20 per hectare for the first 50 hectares) to recognise the administrative costs of entering into and managing an SFI agreement.
Farmers are also able to take part in the Countryside Stewardship scheme at the same time - as long as the actions are compatible, and they are not being paid for the same action twice. The flexible and accessible farming schemes are supporting farmers to keep the nation fed while protecting and enhancing our environment – and are all part of the £2.4 billion annual farming budget ringfenced for the life of this parliament. Full details of the SFI 2023 were published in June this year in a detailed handbook, so that farmers can plan ahead for autumn planting and what they will apply for.
Stuart Anderson said: “We are proud of our commitment to be leading the world in the quality of our food, agriculture, and land management. That’s why I welcome the new and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive, which will enable farmers to easily obtain flexible support to deliver cost-effective, sustainable growth and food production - whilst improving the environment and animal health and welfare. It is straightforward for farmers to apply and manage their agreement. They will receive quarterly payments as well as benefit from a new management payment to recognise the costs of participation. I would encourage as many farmers in Shropshire and beyond to apply for it.”
Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said: “The Sustainable Farming Incentive is important for sustainability - for production and profitability. With opening up the options, from mid September for everyone, there is likely to be an opportunity for every eligible farmer to join SFI.”
