Sustainable Farming Incentive - updated information

27 May 2022

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is the first of 3 new environmental schemes being introduced under the Agricultural Transition Plan. The other 2 schemes are Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery.

There are published updates including when you will be able to apply for an agreement, how to view common land information, SSSIs, commons eligibility, how an SFI standards agreement interacts with Environmental Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship (clarification about rotational options), annual declarations and upgrading SFI standards agreement, terms and conditions, ‘how to’ guides for the standards

SFI aims to help farmers manage land in a way that improves food production and is more environmentally sustainable.

Farmers will be paid to provide public goods, such as:

• improved water quality
• biodiversity
• climate change mitigation
• animal health and welfare

In 2022, SFI aims to:

• encourage actions that improve soil health
• recognise how moorland provides benefits to the public (public goods)
• improve animal health and welfare by helping farmers with the costs of veterinary advice for livestock

Sustainable Farming Incentive: full guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)