Farmers Outraged as UK Government Halts New Applications for Environmental Payment Scheme

The sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive leaves many farmers facing financial uncertainty and an 18-month gap before a new scheme is introduced.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced an immediate halt to new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), citing full allocation of the scheme's budget for 2025.
The SFI, part of the Environmental Land Management scheme, pays farmers for environmentally friendly practices such as reducing pesticide use and maintaining wildlife habitats.
Farmers and industry leaders criticized the lack of prior warning, with the National Farmers' Union calling the decision a 'shattering blow' and accusing Defra of failing to understand the sector's challenges.
The pause leaves farmers without access to new payments until at least spring 2026, raising concerns about financial viability and potential harm to environmental progress.
Both Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians joined the criticism, describing the decision as reckless and harmful to rural communities and food production.