Martin Lines: "The closure of SFI has highlighted just how fragile the current system is"

Mr Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, writes about Defra’s sudden SFI closure, how farm support payments are 'failing' farmers, the urgent action needed and why farmers cannot wait 18 months

clock • 4 min read
Martin Lines, chief executive at the Nature Friendly Farming Network said: "With no new scheme available until 2026, thousands of farmers are left wondering how to keep their businesses viable in the meantime. Waiting 18 months for a new scheme simply is not an option."
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Martin Lines, chief executive at the Nature Friendly Farming Network said: "With no new scheme available until 2026, thousands of farmers are left wondering how to keep their businesses viable in the meantime. Waiting 18 months for a new scheme simply is not an option."

Sustainable Farming Incentive Last week's sudden closure of applications to the 2024 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) took everyone by surprise, leaving many farmers in limbo. Some were on the...

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