The Defra announcement on the immediate pause of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will have caused concern amongst farmers who were planning how to make use of SFI in the near future, but this need not put a pause on your nature-friendly farming ambitions. Defra have said that all existing agreements and those submitted ahead of the closure will be honoured and that farmers who participated in the SFI pilot will still be able to join.
We understand that a revised SFI offer will be available in 2026 and the targeted Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier will still launch this summer, for eligible to farmers who are invited to join.
What can you be doing in the meantime?
If you are already in an agreement, are you happy with the outcomes? Is it worth reflecting on whether nature is responding positively to the measures that you have put in place? Are your pollinators and natural pest predators fully supported? Is the biology of your soils enabling you to become more resilient to droughts and waterlogging events? There are good farm conservation advisors out there who can give your agreement an MOT. You will not be able to tweak your agreement, but you can find out if tweaks to management in line with scheme rules can improve the outcomes for you.
Trusted sources of conservation advice include RSPB (in targeted areas where they operate), The Wildlife Trusts, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, National Trust (for NT tenants) and the Woodland Trust (for woodland grants and hedgerow planting).
The RSPB can arrange for volunteer bird surveys to determine which species are breeding on your farm. This can help you to tailor the options in your existing agreement to the needs of the birds that you have or plan options for a future application. The RSPB are offering a discounted farmer rate for surveys (£150 + VAT) as a contribution towards the project's running costs, with RSPB funding the remainder. Registrations for 2025 surveys are now closed, but you can request surveys for 2026 and we will endeavour to find a volunteer near you to complete the survey in spring 2026: email farmsurveys@rspb.org.uk or sign up for a survey here. In some areas, the RSPB also offer free surveys e.g. for breeding waders, Stone-curlews or Turtle Doves.
Look out for information about the launch of the revised offer in 2026 and start to prepare an application as soon as the details are released of what options will be available. To restore nature on productive farmland, including restoration of pollinators, natural pest control and healthy soil biology, use the Farm Wildlife six key actions to plan your application.
Are there any elements that you would like to trial on a voluntary basis before signing up to a 3+ year commitment to delivering them? Your soils and pollinators cannot wait: trying out cover crops to protect your soils through the winter or flower-rich margins to boost pollination of insect-pollinated crops has agronomic benefits regardless of incentive payments. Simple steps like cutting only a third or a half of your hedges in winter will support early pollinators emerging in the spring.
Other funding
There are other funding streams out there. Current and upcoming government funding opportunities to improve environmental management on farms include:
In addition, other funding sources are available such as creating and restoring natural habitats under the Biodiversity Net Gain initiative, water companies funding work to protect watercourses and local initiatives funded by Councils or National Park Authorities.