Important information about SFI 2026 applications has been sent out this afternoon by Defra. The post below includes information about how they are working through the applications received and starting to issue agreements, but it also includes important information for those who did not manage to submit their applications because of technical issues. The post says:
Given the short Window 2 application period, Ministers have decided to extend the ‘technical issue’ exception group to include:
- a small number of additional SNS farmers who reported valid technical issues up to one week after Window 2 closed (by 11:59pm on 29 September 2026)
- farmers who (i) submitted applications affected by a valid technical issue before Window 2 closed on 22 September; and (ii) reported that valid technical issue up to one week after Window 2 closed (by 11:59pm on 29 September 2026). They will be allowed to amend their submitted applications to include elements which the system should have allowed them to apply for under the scheme rules.
Farmers who reported issues after 11:59pm on 29 September will not qualify for the extended technical issue exception group.
Some farmers and agents have reported that a technical issue prevented them from applying for SFI actions on 22 September which they expected to be available. However, in many of these cases, the system correctly prevented them from applying for combinations of ineligible actions. Where, following assessment, the RPA finds that this is the case, these SFI26 applications will not be considered as a technical issue exception. This will similarly be the case for queries without sufficient supporting evidence for the RPA to confirm that there was a valid technical issue. Following assessment, the RPA will write to farmers and agents to confirm whether they are considered to be in an exception group or not. We are continuing our close work with farmers and stakeholders to look at how we can improve SFI for next year. As part of this, we are exploring alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027.
