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https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2023/08/10/the-sustainable-farming-incentive-offer-in-2023-guidance-update/

The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer in 2023: guidance update

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive
A view of English farmland with trees and fields in the distance under a blue sky.
Alison Day

We've made some minor changes to the SFI Handbook for the 2023 offer and provided voluntary guidance on how you could do the SFI actions in response to feedback from farmers. 

In this post, we’ll share an overview and links. 

Updates to the SFI Handbook for the 2023 offer 

In June, we published the SFI Handbook for the 2023 offer on GOV.UK. It sets out all the actions we will pay for and the scheme's rules.   

In response to feedback from farmers and others, we’ve: 

  • clarified some wording  
  • increased flexibility of some actions – for example: 
    • farmers can now rotate actions NUM3 (legume fallow) and AHL1 (pollen and nectar flower mix) as part of crop rotations 
    • action SAM3 (herbal leys) can now be done on the same land as Countryside Stewardship options OT1 and OR1 (relating to organic land) 
  • updated the handbook to link to the ‘how to do the actions’ guidance, which we’ll explain below. 

We’re making these changes because the controlled rollout of the 2023 offer has not yet started.  

Once the controlled rollout starts from later this month, we’ll minimise any further changes to the SFI handbook.  

This is to provide stability, give certainty to farmers and agents, and save them the trouble of having to keep up to date with changes. 

Voluntary 'How to do the SFI actions' guidance 

We’ve also created ‘How to do the SFI actions’ guidance. This new guidance explains good practice.

It gives advice on how you might choose to do the actions in the SFI handbook. It gives reassurance if you're unsure how to undertake an action, or if you're concerned you might do the wrong thing. 

It covers each of the 23 actions in the SFI 2023 offer. These actions relate to: 

  • soil health 
  • assessment of moorland 
  • hedgerows 
  • integrated pest management 
  • nutrient management 
  • farmland wildlife 
  • buffer strips 
  • low input grassland 

This new guidance is voluntary. It’s there to help. You don’t have to follow it. 

This is part of our overall approach to making SFI less prescriptive than previous schemes. 

The SFI handbook for the 2023 offer sets out what farmers must do. All other guidance is voluntary. 

Coming soon

Before we start accepting application for the SFI 2023 offer, we’ll publish guidance to help farmers applying for an SFI agreement.

It will cover: 

  • how to apply for an SFI agreement, including a video to explain the online application process 
  • how to check and accept an SFI agreement offer in the Rural Payments service. 

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38 comments

  1. Comment by Anna posted on

    As the SAM3 / OR1&OT1 rule change affects 2023 MT CSS applications, I trust requested amendments to those applications already submitted will be carried out internally, as it would be unreasonable to expect applicants to start again from scratch?

    Reply
  2. Comment by Guy Wakeham posted on

    It is good to see a broadened offering. As an early adopter of SFI 2022, I really hope we can join immediately it becomes available to make the most of the new cropping season.

    Reply
    • Replies to Guy Wakeham>

      Comment by The Team posted on

      Hello Guy,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We will start accepting applications for the new, expanded SFI offer in a controlled rollout from the end of this month.

      The RPA will be in touch with 2022 agreement holders to discuss their options for the 2023 offer.

      Best wishes,
      The Team

      Reply
  3. Comment by Richard Chapman posted on

    How do I get a copy of the SFI handbook?

    Reply
  4. Comment by Peter Joyce posted on

    If you haven't already done so, could you publish guidance on how to come out of a Countryside Stewardship agreement and go into an SFI agreement where the farmer is essentially doing exactly the same actions in SFI as he was doing in the CS agreement?

    Reply
    • Replies to Peter Joyce>

      Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

      Hi Peter,

      Thanks for getting in touch. I shared your query with the team. In general, people can leave a CS agreement to move into another agreement of equivalent or higher environmental value.

      They asked for more details: does your CS agreement come to an end this year? Which options are you thinking moving from and to? Are you proposing to stop other options that aren’t in SFI?

      Best wishes,
      Sarah

      Reply
      • Replies to Sarah Stewart>

        Comment by Peter Joyce posted on

        It is a 2023 CS agreement. It is a straight swap where all the CS options will become their equivalent under SFI but I want to add some options from SFI that are not available under CS.

        Reply
        • Replies to Peter Joyce>

          Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

          Thanks for the extra information. I put this to the team and they said we are not able to offer this service at the moment, but you'll be able to apply for the SFI options as a separate agreement.
          I hope this helps,
          Sarah

          Reply
  5. Comment by James Bucher posted on

    I agree with Guy Wakeham, we were also early adopters of SFI 2022 and should not be penalised for doing so by not being allowed to join the new rollout later this month.

    Reply
  6. Comment by toby posted on

    As one of the rather few SFI 22 joiners I think our enthusiasm should be noted and be allowed to join SFI 23 at the first opening as we know how to apply and here have planned our farming since the expanded offer was announced in June so our actions will immediately start to deliver.It seems very discouraging and rather perverse to be delayed for 6 months and made to wait behind others who didnt believe in SFI from the start.

    Reply
  7. Comment by Alison Cross posted on

    I am an agent but was unable to join the recent agent's webinar. Is there a recording available?

    Reply
    • Replies to Alison Cross>

      Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

      Hi Alison,

      No problem. I checked with the team and there is a recording. Do I have your permission to use the email address you supplied (when you left your comment) to forward it to you?

      Best wishes,
      Sarah

      Reply
      • Replies to Sarah Stewart>

        Comment by Alison Cross posted on

        Hi Sarah,

        That's great and yes you have permission to use the email address.

        Thanks

        Reply
    • Replies to Alison Cross>

      Comment by Debra Willoughby posted on

      Could this webinar be available to farmers?
      Not everyone wants to be paying an agent to do their application.

      Reply
  8. Comment by Alison Cross posted on

    Hi Sarah,

    That's great and yes you have permission to use the supplied email address.

    Reply
  9. Comment by Adam Simper posted on

    afternoon

    With regards to Sam3 Herbal Leys, In the first SFI hand book, the SAM3 herbal ley’s requirements said ,'You must establish and maintain herbal leys with a mixture of grasses, legumes, and herbs on the land entered into this action'.
    From this I take it that you must use more than one of those species, eg, two grass species, two legumes and two herbs and that will suffice . Is that correct ?
    Now with version V2 coming out, it still says on page 29, 'You must establish and maintain herbal leys with a mixture of grasses, legumes, and herbs on the land entered into this action' which is the same as V1. But under ‘how to do it’ it says You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how to establish and maintain herbal leys, but you do not have to follow it.
    So when you click on the 'how to establish and maintain herbal leys' link it then says 'The correct seed mix is vital to growing a high-quality herbal ley. It will usually include at least' 5 grass species, 3 legumes & 5 Herbs, but it does use the word on the link, voluntary guidance?
    Can you confirm what needs to be in the mix please

    Reply
    • Replies to Adam Simper>

      Comment by The Team posted on

      Hi Adam.

      The SFI Handbook sets out the mandatory requirements for SAM3 on page 29.

      The mix described in the voluntary guidance is intended to be helpful - it isn't mandatory.

      You can choose what mix of grasses, legumes and herbs to use in the herbal ley. It's up to you how you complete the action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.

      We hope this helps to clarify.
      The Team

      Reply
  10. Comment by Sarah Cornforth posted on

    Hi there,

    Could you provide a specific date as to when the SFI 2023 goes live?

    Many thanks,

    Sarah

    Reply
  11. Comment by toby everett posted on

    Really hoping to join in controlled roll out at end of August,even though I am in SFI 22. and given terrible wet harvest weather,it would be really good if farmers can sign up to SFI 23 as soon as possible so they know where some cash cash flow is coming from.Useful blog please keep us updated,thank you.

    Reply
    • Replies to toby everett>

      Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

      Hi Toby,

      Thanks for visiting the blog and for getting in touch. I shared your comment with the SFI policy team.

      We are due to begin the controlled roll out of the SFI 23 offer shortly. The RPA will be in touch with those SFI 22 agreement holders to discuss their options around coming into the new scheme. Alternatively you can contact the RPA directly now to your discuss options ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

      To reassure you, you won’t be at any disadvantage because you entered the earlier version of the scheme and you will be able to access the full offer.

      I'm really pleased that you're finding the blog useful - we will continue to keep people updated here. If you haven't already, do subscribe to the blog. You'll receive an email every time we publish a post: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/

      Best wishes,
      Sarah

      Reply
  12. Comment by Mark Yearsley posted on

    Hi I have a client that is Organic and has a Mid Tier Agreement with OT3 option. He is interested in applying for an SFI Herbal Ley Option on some of his older pastures, is this possible?

    Reply
    • Replies to Mark Yearsley>

      Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

      Hi Mark,

      If you're referring to SAM3 (Herbal leys), the presence of OT3 is not an issue. If you take a look at the SFI23 handbook (page 28), table 8 confirms that SAM3 and OT3 are compatible. It is worth noting that the other eligibility criteria for SAM3 would need to be meet – these are outlined on page 27 of the handbook – including that the older pastures are “improved grassland”.

      I hope this helps,
      Sarah

      Reply
  13. Comment by Mark Yearsley posted on

    Thank You Sarah,
    Most helpful!

    Reply
  14. Comment by Carol bell posted on

    I am in a css higher tier agreement till 2025 which is gs6 species rich meadows after this finishes in jan 25
    It looks like it needs to be destroyed and planted with herbal leys to receive any payment in sfi
    This seems totally crazy given the work I’ve done can you clarify my position thankyou as any advisers I have spoken to have said it would be in a basic level of sfi

    Reply
    • Replies to Carol bell>

      Comment by The Team posted on

      Hi Carol,

      Thanks for getting in touch. Species rich grassland/low input are not eligible for herbal leys. You'll find details of this in section 2.1 and 4.1.3 of the SFI Handbook: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfi-handbook-for-the-sfi-2023-offer

      Next year, we plan to add actions for species rich grasslands into SFI (in addition the the low input grassland action that is already there).
      We hope this helps,
      The Tea

      Reply
  15. Comment by Rebecca Larter posted on

    Could you please send me the link to the webinar for agents, unfortunately I missed it. Do you have a date yet for when the phased roll out will commence?

    Reply
  16. Comment by Tracy Tappenden posted on

    The guidance on SAM3 mixture requirements are so vague as to be unusable.

    Reply
  17. Comment by Chantelle posted on

    I am an agent and I would love to share the recording of the SFI webinar for advisors with my colleagues. Please could you share the link.
    Thanks so much

    Reply
    • Replies to Chantelle>

      Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on

      Hi Chantelle,

      Look out for an email from me - I've asked my colleague Laura to share the link.

      Best wishes,
      Sarah

      Reply

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