<\/p>\n
\n The application window for the scheme opened at 10am on Tuesday, September 22, and closed at 3.48pm the same day as the funds were quickly exhausted.\n<\/p>\n
\n The SFI, part of England\u2019s post-Brexit farming support, compensates farmers for activities that enhance soil, biodiversity, water quality, and other environmental benefits.\n<\/p>\n
\n This was the first chance for numerous farmers to apply since the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) halted new SFI applications in March 2025.\n<\/p>\n
\n Farmers now have to wait until the 2027 scheme for another opportunity to apply.\n<\/p>\n
\n The rush for funding followed a tough summer, with extended heat and dry conditions impacting crops and grassland in parts of England.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Oxford street ranked among UK’s rudest road names\n<\/p>\n
\n Jeremy Clarkson previously criticised the scheme (Image: Cheffins)\n<\/p>\n
\n Amid concerns over demand, additional funds were made available for the 2026 scheme.\n<\/p>\n
\n Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an extra \u00a350m in August, with Defra later adding another \u00a320m.\n<\/p>\n
\n A total of \u00a3310m was set aside for new agreements across the two 2026 application windows.\n<\/p>\n
\n The first window, which closed on August 28, was exclusive to small farms and those without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement.\n<\/p>\n
\n The second window, open to all eligible farmers and land managers, closed at 3.48pm on September 22 after the budget was fully allocated.\n<\/p>\n
\n Defra stated that the additional funds allowed them to support as many agreements as possible.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, farmers who were unable to submit their applications before the budget ran out will now have to wait until the 2027 scheme.\n<\/p>\n
\n In April 2024, Jeremy Clarkson revealed he had entered land into the SFI scheme, finding it more profitable than food production.\n<\/p>\n
#Farmers #scramble #253m #scheme #spent #les #hours<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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