Agent's Annual Review 2025
All the SFI applications we have dealt with have been in the calendar year 2025, and those lucky enough to progress their application in time for the window to close were successful and this scheme has been well received by all our clients.
The scheme is currently undergoing further reviews and likely capping of each grant due to "budget restraints"
The initial scheme was admirably simple for holdings not already in any agri-environmental scheme. Time will tell.
From practical experience, farmers considering entering this scheme should make the following initial steps to simplify the process:
1 You should ensure that your RPA mapping is up to date and that the land uses and land covers are up to date as this can cause delays and errors when trying to load up SFI "actions"
2 It is necessary to check the location and proximity of any SSSI sites (check on MAgIC maps or natural England's open data site) since SSSI will restrict actions allowed and to date has required Natural England's approval.
3 It is worthwhile at an early stage to download the HEFER (Heritage records). You may have been farming the land for years and not be aware of some so-called archaeological (SHINE) features which for instance can restrict the use of valuable legume containing leys, and even prevent new grant funded fencing.
