SUSTAINABLE FARMING INCENTIVE PILOT – EOI DEADLINE 11TH APRIL

Defra is looking for several hundred farmers to be involved in the first phase of the SFI pilot.  Participants can choose from an initial set of eight standards and details about how to submit an Expression of Interest are on this link.   The Prince’s Countryside Fund recently organised a meeting for Farmer Networks with Defra and there was concern about the low number of EOIs submitted so far from smaller family farms.  We would encourage farmers who are not already in environmental schemes to apply and note the deadline is this Sunday.  Farm business advisor, Andy Dyer, who is a member of our Cumbria Management Council, has put together a briefing about what we know so far about the pilot - download the following briefing Sustainable Farming Incentive update 7th April 2021