Stuart Anderson MP has expressed his "relief" at a decision to process draft applications for a flagship farming scheme that was apruptly closed in March. More than 3,000 farmers had begun an application to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which the Government closed on 11th March 2025.
At the time, the Government stated that it had stopped accepting applications due to the funds having been "successfully allocated." The decision outraged farmers, many of whom had been preparing applications for the Scheme which provides grants for nature recovery efforts.
Stuart slammed the decision to close the Scheme without detailing a successor. He added that farmers faced months of uncertainty until new details were released. He also said that it contradicted an earlier commitment he secued from Ministers, where they had pledged to continue the schemes.
In a statement on 12th May 2025, the Minister has admitted that an "error was made when the current scheme was closed to new applications." Daniel Zeichner MP has stated that he has "decided to allow applications to be made" to the Scheme by those who "started an application within 2 months of 11 March 2025."
It means that applicants who started an application within two months of 11 March 2025 but did not submit it by that date will be given six weeks to complete an application. If they started an application on or after 12th January 2025, they will be able to apply.
However, the Farming Minister has introduced two new restrictions which means only one application can be submitted per farm business and there is now a cap on funding. The statement added: "agreements will be offered up to a maximum value of £9,300 per year for the duration of the agreement."
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is expected to shortly announce further details on when applications can restart. SFI was launched in 2021 to boost food production on UK farms. Under it, farmers were supported to enhance national food security and promote nature recovery.
Ministers are yet to announce the details of a successor scheme, only saying more details will be published in the Summer. In the meantime, Stuart continues to campaign for a fairer deal for farmers in Shropshire, which is home to the highest number of farm holdings in England.
Stuart's 'Farming Support Portal' details the latest range of grants, competitions and support schemes that they can apply to. It is part of his campaign to champion Shropshire's farmers as he raises their voice in Parliament on issues such as fairness in the supply chain and food security.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Our farmers play an integral role in supporting rural economy in South Shropshire. They create jobs, feed the nation, and manage our natural environment. So, I was outraged when Ministers abruptly removed a key support scheme from them. Introduced in 2021, the Sustainable Farming Incentive has supported tens of thousands of farmers. Yet, the government closed the scheme in March with only thirty minutes notice. This resulted in 3,000 stuck applications. I am glad that the Minister has now announced that this was an error and that drafted applications will be processed."