MP raises concerns over access and long-term certainty for sustainable farming
The new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will launch this year
Farmers across Suffolk and Norfolk are calling for greater clarity and long-term certainty around the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), according to the MP for Waveney Valley, who warns current restrictions are preventing some from accessing crucial support.
Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party MP for Waveney Valley, said the scheme plays a vital role in helping farmers balance food production with environmental protection.
“When it comes to things like the Sustainable Farming Incentive, that scheme is crucial for helping farmers to manage our land in a way that’s good for nature as well as good for food production,” he said.
However, Mr Ramsay said he has heard growing concern from farmers in his constituency about access to the scheme and confidence in its future.
“I’ve got lots of farmers in my constituency who want to be able to access it and have the confidence that that scheme will be there long term if they make the switch over to nature-friendly farming. ”
Concerns about the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI)
He said questions also remain about how funding is allocated within nature-friendly farming schemes, following recent discussions with environmental groups.
“I met with the RSPB, who were campaigning for the nature-friendly farming pot to be used much more effectively, so more farmers are able to access it in ways that have long-term impact,” he said.
Mr Ramsay also highlighted an example from a Suffolk farm, where land management changes had delivered environmental and flood prevention benefits but were not fully recognised by existing funding criteria.
“When I met with a farmer just outside Debenham in Suffolk recently, he told me that he had created, in recent years, a significant pond on his farm, which is not only good for wildlife but is significantly reducing the flood risk in Debenham,” he said.
“He’s actually lost government funding as a result of leading on natural flood management because it wasn’t included in the nature-friendly farming funding that he’s got access to.”
Mr Ramsay said he believes funding schemes must better reflect the role farmers play in flood prevention, biodiversity and long-term land stewardship.
“So we need to make sure this funding is not only increased, but that the criteria enable farmers to do the things we need to do, to reduce flood risk, to improve biodiversity and to make sure that we’ve got rich farmland for the future,” he said.
The Government has confirmed that a revised Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme will launch this year, with changes aimed at improving accessibility, fairness and long-term planning certainty for farmers. Full details are expected to be published ahead of the first application window opening later this year.
More information on the SFI can be found here.