DEFRA have announced that SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) applicants will only be able to take up to 25% of their land out of direct food production to put into six of the more popular SFI actions. This cap is in response to fears that landowners would use these actions on a widespread scale covering all, or most, of a farm’s area and also fears that land would be taken back from tenants or contractors to be put down to these actions rather than for food production. An update is awaited regarding the timing of this cap, and it is expected to only affect new applications.
The six capped actions are:
- Flower-rich grass margins
- Pollen and nectar flower mix
- Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
- Grassy field corners and blocks
- Improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management
- Winter bird food on improved grassland.
For more information on this topic then please call your local Sworders office.
Michael Sills