Suffolk farm manager calls for Sustainable Farming Incentive to reopen
They say the SFI ensures the environment is protected
A Suffolk farm manager who recently won a national award has joined calls for the government’s flagship nature-friendly farming scheme to be reopened as soon as possible.
Ryan McCormack, farm manager at Dennington Hall Farms near Woodbridge, was named Farmers Weekly Farm Manager of the Year for his work combining commercial success with environmental improvements.
He said much of that success had been possible through working with the government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship schemes, which pay farmers for delivering environmental benefits alongside food production.
What is the SFI?
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) forms part of the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes, designed to support farmers in producing food while protecting nature and tackling climate change.
It pays land managers for taking actions that benefit soil health, water quality, wildlife habitats and carbon storage. For many farms, the payments help balance the financial pressures of running a business while maintaining sustainable practices.
Ryan said the SFI and Countryside Stewardship are “vital” to the work at Dennington Hall Farms, supporting projects such as wildflower margins, nectar-rich plots, pond management and more than 100 miles of hedgerows that benefit insects, birds and mammals. “Part of our vision is farming with nature,” he said. “That’s only really possible with the help of schemes like SFI.”
At Dennington Hall Farms, the team manages more than 100 miles of hedgerows and 115 ponds, providing vital habitats for wildlife. The site is now home to more than 1,000 species of insects and 12 bird species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being of urgent concern.
How SFI's help
Mr McCormack said the schemes had supported that work:
“We’ve got areas that are left to nature for pollen and nectar. We’ve got wild bird mixes, lots of hedgerows here on the farm for different mammals to drink from, and obviously birds and everything else. There’s a lot going on here at Dennington Hall Farms for the wider environment and conservation.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which represents tens of thousands of farmers, has warned that uncertainty over the future of SFI funding risks halting environmental progress on farms. The scheme has been temporarily closed to new applications, with no clear timetable announced for reopening.
Mr McCormack said many farmers rely on SFI payments to maintain nature-friendly practices and that clarity from government was urgently needed.
The NFU has called on ministers to reopen the scheme without delay, saying it plays a crucial role in helping farms balance food production with conservation work — and in helping the government meet its own legally binding targets for wildlife recovery.
Mr McCormack is also part of a younger generation of farmers pushing the industry forward. The average age of his small team is 27, far lower than the national average of 59, and he says inspiring the next generation is vital to securing farming’s future.
Government response
A Defra spokesperson said:
“We are backing farmers with the largest investment in nature-friendly farming in history to grow their businesses, get more British food on our plates and help restore nature.
“This Government inherited farming schemes that were untargeted and underspent, but there are now more than 39,000 multi-year agreements putting money back into farmer’s pockets for the years ahead
“We will set out further updates on the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive in due course, which will underpin this government’s commitment to food production and nature friendly farming.”
Background:
- SFI has not been “withdrawn”. There are now more than 39,000 multi-year agreements putting money back into farmer’s pockets for the years ahead . It will reopen for new applicants in due course.
- Updates on our reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will be announced in due course.
- We inherited farming schemes which were underspent, meaning millions of pounds were not going to farming businesses. We have changed direction to ensure public money is spent effectively, and last year all the government’s farming budget was spent.
- There will be an SFI on offer with details to follow. This will be underpinned by the Government’s cast iron commitment to food security, focusing on food production, and sustainable farming, creating more resilient farm businesses.
- Over half of farmers are in our farming schemes, benefitting from ÂŁ11.8bn across this parliament, helping them to adopt nature friendly methods which are good for their bottom lines.
More information is set out on in theblog.