A little bit of hope and clarity

Farmers with expiring SFI23, CSMT, CSHT or HLS agreements can apply in SFI application window 2 if the scheme expires before the end of February 2027

Usually, farmers with soon-to-expire ELM revenue agreements would not be able to access the full SFI offer until their existing agreement ended.

DEFRA are developing functionality in the SFI26 application service to allow those that do, to apply early for SFI26, before their existing agreements expire.

This affects farmers with agreements which expire by the end of February 2027, as this is the latest expiry date that would have allowed them to enter SFI26. Under usual circumstances they’d be forced to apply late in Window 2, by which point the window might have closed. 

It will apply to farmers with agreements expiring by the end of February 2027, under the following schemes: 

• SFI23 
• Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier (CSMT) 
• Legacy CS Higher Tier (CSHT) 
• Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)

The new functionality will allow SFI26 agreements to start after the relevant soon-to-expire agreement has ended. 

Farmers with agreements expiring at the end of March 2027 or later may be able to apply for a future SFI offer. 

No further clarity has been offered for those outside this expiry for SFI 2027. 

Start preparing and looking at the options that you may want to use: SFI26: scheme rules and guidance – GOV.UK

For help contact Carol Johnson at Hexham Northern and Rural

0775369311 cjohnson@hexhammart.co.uk