Defra announces closure of Sustainable Farming Incentive for new applicants: comment

“This will come as a shock to many farmers. Although the scheme needs improving, the sudden and unplanned nature of this closure will shake farmers' confidence.

“Climate change is the biggest threat to farmers and food security, and the SFI is a critical tool in building resilience such as funding more hedgerows that slow flood waters. Defra will now have to demonstrate how they can bring forward a credible plan for reopening the scheme, as well as investing in the higher tier and landscape recovery schemes that many farmers will now turn to.”