On Tuesday, Defra published the SFI26 scheme information including “near final” versions of the guidance notes and details about each SFI action . There are 71 actions available (down from 102 in SFI24) and most of the options are the same as published in February. A welcome change is that option GRH1: Manage rough grazing for birds has been replaced with GRH12: Manage rough grassland for upland breeding waders with a payment of £203/ha compared with the previous rate of £121/ha.
Defra will invite a small number of farmers who are eligible for Window 1 to apply from around 18 June, to test and refine the application service in a controlled way. The final version of the guidance notes will then be published and the first application window will open on 30 June for small farms and those without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement. The scheme will then open to all other farmers from September.
On Wednesday 10th June at 9am, Defra will be providing an update about SFI and other schemes at a range of venues around the country including at Hexham and in Harrogate. Click on the links to book.
