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Defra has committed to expediting the processing of Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) applications, attributing the slow delivery thus far to detailed checks rather than budget constraints.

Concerns have been raised by farmers regarding delays in receiving agreement offers and the subsequent activation of accepted applications. Some farmers speculated that the process was deliberately slowed down in anticipation of potential budget cuts post-Budget on 30 October.

However, Janet Hughes, Defra’s farming and countryside director, dispelled these notions during a Tenant Farmers Association webinar. She pointed to the Rural Payments Agency’s thorough checks as the primary reason for the extended processing times.

Hughes stated that the RPA is on the verge of transitioning to a more automated system for processing SFI applications, which will lead to increased efficiency in the coming weeks.

Regarding the current status of SFI applications, Hughes disclosed that around 12,000 expressions of interest have been received, with approximately 11,000 invitations to apply issued and 3,000 applications submitted. Additionally, the RPA has issued around 700 agreements, with a pledge to accelerate the process in the near future.

Hughes also addressed delays in the introduction of Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship, attributing the setback to the general election. She assured that information regarding Higher-Tier schemes would be disseminated in the following months, with applications opening in 2025.

For farmers looking to transition from Higher-Level Stewardship (HLS) legacy schemes to SFI, Hughes advised contacting the RPA due to the bureaucratic nature of the process. She mentioned the upcoming availability of a more streamlined system in 2025 for easier transitions.

In conclusion, while some stacking of SFI options onto existing HLS agreements is possible, Hughes recommended waiting for the automated approach next year for a smoother transition to maximize benefits under SFI.

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