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\n NFU warned Defra over limited budget<\/p>\n
Robyn Munt continued: \u201cThe current cashflow pressures facing farmers and growers only exacerbates that demand as they look for certainty and clarity for the year ahead. But those that missed out have been left with even greater uncertainty as the sector doesn\u2019t have a commitment from government for SFI27 and access to Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier. We know the uncertainty and financial pressure this creates for those businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have warned Defra for months that the available budget would not meet demand of those farmers wanting to deliver for the environment and sustainable farming. The additional funding announced by the Prime Minister in August was welcome, but with thousands of agreements ending this year, it was clear that it wasn\u2019t enough to plug the gap in the budget needed and it fails many who have been committed to such schemes for many years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYet again, Defra has created a position where there are the \u2018haves\u2019 and the \u2018have nots\u2019 in the sector based purely on the speed of pressing a button. This comes at the same time as the department says it wants a reset with the farming industry. Instead, it has further damaged business confidence that is already at rock bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Government promised more \u2013 but where is it?<\/p>\n
Robyn Munt added: \u201cThe Farming Minister\u2019s response to the closure suggests that there will be further announcements and we look forward to hearing what these next stages are.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese must come urgently, with clear information on what schemes will be available and when. For food producing businesses already questioning whether they can survive the year ahead, this clarity is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n
NFU lobbying continues<\/p>\n
The NFU has sought clarity for members on SFI at every turn from the future of the SFI scheme to the members in expiring agreements being able to gain crucial access to SFI26 Window 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n Surveying members back in February<\/a> provided us with the perspectives of more than 600 of our members, ensuring our asks on SFI were as closely aligned as possible to the needs of our members.<\/p>\n This centred around a key and irrevocable fact that the NFU has continued to lobby on \u2013 that current supplies will not fulfil the demand to match farmers\u2019 ambitions to deliver for the environment<\/a> across the ELM (Environmental Land Management) schemes.<\/p>\n Window 2\u2019s short-lived application window will be used in future discussions with Defra to highlight the urgency of maximising the SFI budget going forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n