At the Oxford Farming Conference today, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, has announced upcoming changes to Environmental Land Management schemes in England. This includes a reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for small and new farmers in June, and a new collaboration fund.  

With around 70% of UK land farmed, nature-friendly farming will not only help wildlife recovery but also help to build more climate resilient farm businesses fit for the future. Today’s announcement is a step forward in realising the ambition required for the agricultural transition in England. 

Vicki Hird, strategic lead for agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, says:   
“After many months of waiting, we now have some clarity on the future of England’s farming schemes, with a logical prioritisation for smaller farm businesses and those new to nature friendly farming. It is also good news to see the fund extended for farmers in protected areas because these places are vital for nature’s recovery - they need ongoing support to take the right actions for wildlife.  

“The Wildlife Trusts have been working with farmers across the UK for decades, helping them to build resilient, profitable and nature-friendly businesses. When properly supported, this collaborative approach, as well as peer-to-peer learning, works for food, for nature, and for farmers. At the farm gate however, we need urgent action to address unfair supply chains. Funding must aid farmers to deliver public goods, not just prop up a failed food system via income support in disguise. 

“With wildlife declines and climate change already having damaging impacts on the ways we produce food in the UK, this transition to nature and climate resilient farming has never been more urgent. June is still nearly six months away, and so we must now see details of how the ambitions the Secretary of State set out today will become reality. It’s vital that the budget for these schemes is considerably increased to reflect the scale of the challenge ahead, so that farmers can really deliver on vital government targets.”