NEW SFI STANDARDS LAUNCHED TODAY!
DEFRA have announced today how new standards are to be added to the Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2023 to add to the three existing ones.
Six new SFI standards have been launched for 2023, three more than were originally planned for 2023:
Hedgerows standard
Integrated pest management standard
Nutrient management standard
Arable and horticultural land standard
Improved grassland standard
Low input grassland standard
In their Policy paper released today, DEFRA have stated that they are seeking to
“make good progress towards their environment and climate goals and to make sure there is a wide-ranging offer in place across SFI and Countryside Stewardship (CS), covering a range of farm types, sizes and locations.”
If you already have an active SFI agreement you will be able to add these actions along with further land. It will also be possible for you to increase levels of the standard you have already entered in your agreement.
You may be aware that earlier this month it was announced by the Mark Spencer, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, that DEFRA are also rolling out an annual SFI Management Payment of £20 per hectare up to a maximum of 50 hectares i.e. £1,000. This extra payment has been added to recognise the management costs and time involved for farmers and landowners participating in SFI.
What is the difference between SFI and CS?
Usefully, SFI and CS can be layered onto the same land so long as you are not claiming payment for two schemes that pay for the same outcome.
SFI is intended to pay applications to undertake
“standard, universal actions that are needed at scale across the farmed landscape.”
This is an entry level scheme that is designed to be simple to apply for, flexible enough to add land and standards, and encourage people to get stuck in quickly. DEFRA want
“a large majority of farmers to take part in this scheme to deliver significant, large-scale environmental and climate outcomes alongside food production.”
CS is a more specialised scheme where farmers and landowners seek to target specific habitats and features. DEFRA have designed this scheme to
“appeal to farmers and land managers who want to take care of nature in areas, features and habitats more suited to specific, tailored management.”
The SFI Scheme Guidance is yet to be updated but the application process will follow the same online process as the 2022 scheme.
What are the key terms of SFI agreements:
By way of a very brief overview, you enter this scheme online through your Rural Payments Agency (RPA) account. Here you select the fields you want to enter into the scheme along with the standard. You then pick a level for the standard that you are comfortable with.
The scheme has a rolling application window meaning you can start at any time. The application is a very straightforward online process which can be completed quickly.
The agreement has a term of three years during which time you can add further land and standards, whilst also being able to upgrade the level of standard you have already entered.
Payments are made quarterly in arrears which is an attractive feature compared to CS which has an annual claim process and payment date.
Further announcements were made in the Future Farming Blog today about changes to:
CS on a whole host of updates including payment rates and capital grants;
the Animal Health and Welfare Review which is hopefully going to open this spring; and
Landscape Recovery round 2 which is set to in spring this year for up to 25 projects.
Get in touch with me on 07853 111938 or rob@rbrural.co.uk to find out more about CS and SFI and how they could help you.