Fresh SFI and Countryside Stewardship payments unveiled by Defra Secretary at OFC 2024
Enhanced payments for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) have been unveiled by Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Speaking before delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference 2024 today (4 January), the Defra Secretary announced increased payments for farmers, around 50 new actions, and a streamlined application process for the SFI and Mid-Tier CS.
Mr Barclay outlined the Government's updated offer for farmers in 2024, which incorporates farmer feedback and seeks to boost the number of scheme participants.
On average, the value of agreements in the SFI and CS will be increased by 10% driven by increased payment rates, with uplifts automatically applied to existing agreements.
Precision ag payments
Also unveiled were around 50 new actions that farmers can get paid for across all types of farm businesses, with many focussing on precision agriculture practices.
Variable rate nutrient application pays farmers £27/ha, guided herbicide spraying pays £43/ha and no-till farming earns £73/ha. Meanwhile, the use of robotic weeding will see farmers paid £101-£150/ha.
Premium payments are offered for actions deemed to have the biggest environmental impact or combinations of actions that deliver benefits at scale, such as £765/ha for nesting plots for lapwing, and £1,242/ha for connecting river and floodplain habitat.
Defra says it will also start funding more sustainable farming advice with the aim of helping farmers to understand what opportunities are available to them and increase the adoption of tools, such as carbon audits and natural capital assessments, supported by farm advisors.
Mr Barclay said: "We have listened to farmers’ feedback and set out the biggest upgrades to our farming schemes since leaving the EU, with more money, more choice and more trust to support domestic food production whilst also protecting the environment.
"We’re also making it easier for farmers of every farm type and size to enter the schemes, and I encourage everyone to take a look at how you can join the thousands of other farmers and land managers who are already receiving our backing through the schemes."
Reacting to the announcement, Andrew Pearson, Environmental Policy Manager at the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) said: "We welcome the revisions to SFI and CS for 2024, in particular the addition of further actions that incentivise agronomic benefits on farm.
"The streamlining of the application process should also be welcome news for farmers and their farm advisers."
For more information on the revised 2024 SFI and CS offer, visit the GOV.UK website.
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Oli Hill
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