‘Worse than the scramble for Oasis tickets’: England’s sustainable farming funds run out in just six hours
Summary
The UK government opened a £233 million sustainable farming fund on June 18, 2024, to pay farmers for environmentally friendly farming. The money was fully claimed within six hours, leaving many farmers unable to apply for this support until 2027. This rapid closure raises concerns about funding availability and environmental goals.Key Facts
- The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme opened for applications at 10 a.m. and closed by 4 p.m. due to the full allocation of its 2026 budget.
- The SFI pays farmers to care for nature, soil, and other public benefits rather than just for owning land or traditional farming.
- Many farmers had not applied before because the scheme was closed suddenly in March 2025; this was their first chance to apply since then.
- Farmers had long waits, up to five hours, to get help with applications during the opening day.
- The 2024 growing season was very difficult due to heat, drought, and rising fertiliser costs linked to the war in Iran.
- Experts warn that missing out on this funding will hurt farmers’ ability to care for the environment and meet legally required nature targets.
- The government added £50 million extra funding for this round, but stakeholders say the overall budget is still too small.
- The National Farmers Union (NFU) calls for clear plans and more budget transparency for the 2027 scheme to support farmers and environmental goals.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
