Review seeks experiences of farmers in England after entire £253mn budget is allocated in less than a day
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee is inviting farmers in England to share their experiences of applying for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
The SFI had a budget of £233 million for 2026, designed to pay farmers and land managers to undertake activities that will protect and benefit the environment, support food production and improve productivity.
Defra explained that the window for applications would be open until the whole budget had been allocated. This occurred less than six hours after the window opened.
This was the first opportunity for many farmers to apply to SFI since the scheme was abruptly closed in March 2025. The next opportunity they will have to apply will be in 2027.
In a new survey, the Efra Committee (which is responsible for scrutinising Defra) is seeking the experiences both of those who were successful and unsuccessful in submitting an application before the window closed.
The Committee is inviting information on topics including:
- Whether they were able to submit an SFI application before the window closed, and what prevented them from doing so if not
- Whether they were aware of notifications when 25 per cent, 50 per cent, and 75 per cent of funds had been allocated
- If they now have to make changes to their business after being unable to submit an application
Chair of the Efra Committee, Alistair Carmichael, said: “At a time when Defra needed to build a better level of trust with farmers, the last thing they needed was a day like last Tuesday [22 September]. So many farmers were disappointed by the SFI application process and have been left in a place where planning their business is more difficult than ever.”
Carmichael called on farmers and land agents to share their experiences on the day and since then. “We especially want to hear from those who lost out about what this will mean for how they farm the land without the assistance that they might have received from the SFI,” he said.
“That real life experience will shape the questions that we are able to put to ministers and officials as we question them in the weeks and months to come.”
The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 16 October at 6pm.
