Key facts
- England's 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme budget of £233 million was fully allocated within six hours of opening.
- Thousands of farmers were unable to apply for the SFI funding.
- The SFI scheme replaced the EU's common agricultural policy, paying farmers for environmental stewardship.
- The next opportunity for farmers to apply for SFI funding will be in 2027.
- Environmental groups expressed concern that the rapid depletion of funds will hinder the UK's ability to meet its nature restoration targets.
Thousands of farmers in England have been left without access to crucial funding for environmental stewardship after the government's 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme budget was depleted in just six hours. The £233 million allocated for the scheme, which aims to pay farmers for looking after nature, soil, and other public goods, was fully subscribed by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, shortly after applications opened at 10 a.m.
This rapid allocation means many farmers, some of whom had experienced difficulties with applications and faced long waits for support, will miss out on financial assistance. The next opportunity to apply for SFI funding will not be until 2027. Environmental groups have expressed alarm, with Vicki Hird of The Wildlife Trusts comparing the situation to the rush for Oasis concert tickets and Alice Groom of the RSPB calling the speed of depletion 'unprecedented'.
Farmers have recently endured challenging conditions, including a 'toughest summer in a generation' marked by heat and drought, alongside soaring fertilizer costs. Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, noted that the SFI funding was seen as vital for farmers to invest in their businesses and remain resilient. The NFU welcomed an additional £50 million announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in August, which was included in this funding round, but voiced ongoing concerns about the limited budget's impact on environmental delivery.