Agent's Annual Review 2024
All the SFI applications we have dealt with have been in the calendar year 2024, and this scheme has been well received by all our clients.
The scheme is apparently unaffected by the spending review, but we await further bombshell type announcements.
We are assured that the temporary closure for applications over Christmas and New year is short term to allow system updates.
Sensible limitations (currently at 25%) were introduced part way through the year to restrict the overuse of the “non-productive” popular options – CIGL1 & 2, CAHL1, 2 and 3, CIPM2
The initial scheme has been admirably simple for holdings not already in any agri-environmental scheme. However, as with most new schemes, the temptation to fiddle with the rules and bolt on extras will inevitably complicate future applications, as is already happening. For example the original ability to amend on-going SFI agreements at the anniversary date is now under review.
From practical experience, farmers considering entering this scheme should make the following initial steps to simplify the process:


4 Where there are already SFI or CS rotational options on a parcel, it seems that you will have to wait until the rotational option has been moved elsewhere before you can stack a further SFI action on the parcel.
5 You will need to check the location or proximity of any SSSI sites (on Magic maps or Natural England’s open data site) which restricts actions allowed and will need Natural England’s approval.
1 If you are in a current environmental or countryside stewardship scheme you should make enquiries about terminating this at an anniversary date in order to ensure that full payment is paid for the final year.
2 You should ensure that your RPA mapping is up to date with any boundary changes mapped, and importantly for mixed/grassland and arable holdings that all the “land covers” are correct. If not, this causes no end of problems and delays, due to on-line unavailability of chosen options when the application is ready to submit.
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.
