Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026
House of Commons · Written Statements · 30 Jun 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
Farming is at the heart of our food security, the rural economy and the environment. Through the farming road map that we published earlier this month, this Government have set out a clear long-term vision for a more profitable, productive and resilient farming sector, backed by practical support to help farmers invest in their businesses and plan for the future. A fair and accessible sustainable farming incentive is a key part of delivering that vision, rewarding farmers for sustainable food production and environmental improvement while supporting farm profitability. Today, I am pleased to confirm that the first application window for the sustainable farming incentive 2026 is now open: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-farming-incentive-2026-sfi26 Window 1 is open to two groups: small farms; and farms without an existing environmental land management revenue agreement. These groups have been less likely to enter SFI in the past, so this Government are giving them priority access to SFI26, with the aim of expanding coverage and spreading available funding across more farms. SFI pays farmers for practical, on-farm actions that support sustainable food production while benefiting the environment, from improving soil health and keeping waterways clean to creating space for wildlife and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Previously, a quarter of SFI money went to just 4% of farms. To address this, we have restructured the scheme so that it is...