Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 25 March 2025.
John Hayes
Conservative, South Holland and The Deepings
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers no longer able to apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Edward Morello
Liberal Democrat, West Dorset
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support farmers who did not apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme before its closure.
Patrick Spencer
Conservative, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support farmers following the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applicants.
Martin Wrigley
Liberal Democrat, Newton Abbot
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support farmers that were intending to apply for the Sustainable Farming incentive scheme.
Rebecca Smith
Opposition Assistant Whip (Commons)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers who are not registered to the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.
Daniel Zeichner
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a two-year period.
Following the announcement that Defra has closed SFI for the submission of new applications, outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed.
SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. We remain committed to investing in agri-environment schemes. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome.
Funding from the farming budget also supports the provision of advice within the sector. The Farming Advice Service can assist farmers to review what advice and guidance is available to meet their business needs.
Yes2 people think so
No2 people think not
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
