A revised structure to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has been welcomed by Savills, who have described the changes as ‘more tailored and accommodating of individual farm needs’.

One of the three components of the agri-environment scheme ELMS (Environmental Land Management scheme), the SFI aims to pay farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practices which protect and improve the environment. 

The scheme has recently been revised, with applications for the latest version expected to open online in August. 

Simon Blandford, director, Savills food and farming team in Winchester, said: “Most remarkable of all of the changes to this year’s SFI is the structure itself. The 2022 SFI employed ‘standards’ – introductory and intermediate levels – which resulted in differing rates of pay. However, the 2023 SFI moves away from the ‘stacking’ idea of standards and instead adopts a ‘pick and mix’ system composed of 23 actions which looks to be very similar to the well-known structure of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS).”

Under this system, each action group has been split into three independent elements: ‘plans’, ‘plots’ and ‘prescriptions’.

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Additional changes to the original SFI scheme include the option for ‘single entity’ SFI applications for common land and shared grazing agreements. Similarly, tenant farmers will be able to enrol in shorter agreements which do not require landlord consent.

Furthermore, three options from the SFI 2022 soil standards have been dropped: add organic matter, single species winter cover and minimise bare ground. In the revised SFI 2023, other private/public schemes can be used in addition to SFI so long as the activities and outcomes are compatible and there is no double funding.

Mr Blandford said: “Favourably, the 2023 SFI should be more comprehensible to farmers who are familiar with CSS mid-tier. The revised structure will improve the feasibility and flexibility of SFI, especially where basic options can be layered alongside other schemes. 

“SFI 2023 is more tailored and accommodating of individual farm needs, and ‘pick and mix’ options can be added where the generation of further income is required. Overall, these latest changes will provide a profitable alternative to food production, where this in no longer viable, or a supplementary income which encourages sustainable food production.”