Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has unveiled reforms to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), designed to "simplify the scheme, level the playing field, and provide stable, predictable delivery".

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, she confirmed that the reformed SFI offer will open in two windows for 2026: the first in June will be targeted at smaller farms and those who are not currently in any stewardship scheme.

A second window is expected in September and will be open to all farmers.

While we await further details of the scheme, here are a few important points about the reformed SFI scheme that have been shared so far:

• There will be more emphasis on actions that support sustainable food production
• There will be a reduced number of actions to improve management of the scheme
• There is currently a review on payment rates for actions that have been popular in SFI23 and SFI24
• There is currently a review on which actions should be included in the ‘limited area’ actions going forward

The government has also said it will extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for three years, with £30 million in funding next year.

You can find out more about the new SFI offer for 2026 here.

If you would like to discuss the new funding further, please get in touch with Chris Muir or Lizzy Elgie in the StephensonsRural team.