AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production

Steevo

Steevo

Member
Location
Gloucestershire

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production​

Mark-Spencer-agribusiness-22.jpg

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP made the announcement on SFI.

The amount of land farmers in England can take out of food production under the Government's flagship environmental scheme will be capped, following concerns raised by Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Members and others advising farmers on SFI applications.

Under new measures announced by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) today (25 March), new applicants to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of food production.

The actions are:

  • Flower-rich grass margins
  • Pollen and nectar flower mix
  • Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
  • Grassy field corners and blocks
  • Improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management
  • Winter bird food on improved grassland

Food security​

Andrew Pearson, AIC's Environment Policy Manager, said: "We welcome this positive change to the SFI scheme because it gives our Member businesses greater clarity and certainty, and it also indicates that the Government is listening to fears that environmental ambitions are being delivered at the expense of our nation's food security.

"Sustainability goals can be delivered in tandem with domestic food production, which is why AIC is calling on the Government to set up a statutory, independent UK Food Security Committee to show that it truly takes this matter seriously.

"The value and certainty that such a body can bring to the agri-food industry will significantly enhance our nation’s food security for the long term by providing a cross-Whitehall, cross-UK oversight of what recent events have highlighted as a critical issue."

This is one of three core food supply chain asks of the next UK Government, as set out in AIC's recently published 2024 General Election manifesto.

The ask already has the backing of many industry bodies, politicians and leading academics. Go to the campaign webpage for full details.

Last year AIC commissioned Anglia Ruskin University to produce an independent report assessing the UK agri-food sector's productivity. The "Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security" report made a series of recommendations on sustainably enhancing our nation's food security.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said: "Food production is the primary purpose of farming and today we are taking action to clarify this principle.

"The six actions we are capping were always intended to be implemented on smaller areas of land, and these changes will help to maintain this intention and continue our commitment to maintain domestic food production."


www.agindustries.org.uk

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production

The area of land farmers can take out of food production under the Sustainable Farming Incentive will be capped, after industry concerns.
www.agindustries.org.uk www.agindustries.org.uk
 
J 1177

J 1177

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Durham, UK
Steevo said:

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production​

Mark-Spencer-agribusiness-22.jpg

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP made the announcement on SFI.

The amount of land farmers in England can take out of food production under the Government's flagship environmental scheme will be capped, following concerns raised by Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Members and others advising farmers on SFI applications.

Under new measures announced by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) today (25 March), new applicants to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of food production.

The actions are:

  • Flower-rich grass margins
  • Pollen and nectar flower mix
  • Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
  • Grassy field corners and blocks
  • Improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management
  • Winter bird food on improved grassland

Food security​

Andrew Pearson, AIC's Environment Policy Manager, said: "We welcome this positive change to the SFI scheme because it gives our Member businesses greater clarity and certainty, and it also indicates that the Government is listening to fears that environmental ambitions are being delivered at the expense of our nation's food security.

"Sustainability goals can be delivered in tandem with domestic food production, which is why AIC is calling on the Government to set up a statutory, independent UK Food Security Committee to show that it truly takes this matter seriously.

"The value and certainty that such a body can bring to the agri-food industry will significantly enhance our nation’s food security for the long term by providing a cross-Whitehall, cross-UK oversight of what recent events have highlighted as a critical issue."

This is one of three core food supply chain asks of the next UK Government, as set out in AIC's recently published 2024 General Election manifesto.

The ask already has the backing of many industry bodies, politicians and leading academics. Go to the campaign webpage for full details.

Last year AIC commissioned Anglia Ruskin University to produce an independent report assessing the UK agri-food sector's productivity. The "Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security" report made a series of recommendations on sustainably enhancing our nation's food security.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said: "Food production is the primary purpose of farming and today we are taking action to clarify this principle.

"The six actions we are capping were always intended to be implemented on smaller areas of land, and these changes will help to maintain this intention and continue our commitment to maintain domestic food production."


www.agindustries.org.uk

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production

The area of land farmers can take out of food production under the Sustainable Farming Incentive will be capped, after industry concerns.
www.agindustries.org.uk www.agindustries.org.uk
Click to expand...
Translated, whooohoooo our gravy train can carry on, pleased you got those pesky farmers into line defra.
 
Wooly

Wooly

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Romney Marsh
How much money have they wasted on SFI ?

A few months ago they were worried that not enough farmers were taking up SFI............... then raised the payments that made it attrative............ to then realise that too many farmers were taking all their land out of production !!

The UK is only 60% self sufficient in food................even I know we should be producing more food, not less ! How come the 'intelligent' ones running the country, all with degrees, can't see that!
 
C

curlietailz

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Sedgefield
Wooly said:
How much money have they wasted on SFI ?

A few months ago they were worried that not enough farmers were taking up SFI............... then raised the payments that made it attrative............ to then realise that too many farmers were taking all their land out of production !!

The UK is only 60% self sufficient in food................even I know we should be producing more food, not less ! How come the 'intelligent' ones running the country, all with degrees, can't see that!
Click to expand...
But if producing food isn’t as profitable as the SFI options then of course farmers are going to take the SFI.
 
C

Charles.

Member
Arable Farmer
Steevo said:

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production​

Mark-Spencer-agribusiness-22.jpg

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP made the announcement on SFI.

The amount of land farmers in England can take out of food production under the Government's flagship environmental scheme will be capped, following concerns raised by Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Members and others advising farmers on SFI applications.

Under new measures announced by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) today (25 March), new applicants to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of food production.

The actions are:

  • Flower-rich grass margins
  • Pollen and nectar flower mix
  • Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
  • Grassy field corners and blocks
  • Improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management
  • Winter bird food on improved grassland

Food security​

Andrew Pearson, AIC's Environment Policy Manager, said: "We welcome this positive change to the SFI scheme because it gives our Member businesses greater clarity and certainty, and it also indicates that the Government is listening to fears that environmental ambitions are being delivered at the expense of our nation's food security.

"Sustainability goals can be delivered in tandem with domestic food production, which is why AIC is calling on the Government to set up a statutory, independent UK Food Security Committee to show that it truly takes this matter seriously.

"The value and certainty that such a body can bring to the agri-food industry will significantly enhance our nation’s food security for the long term by providing a cross-Whitehall, cross-UK oversight of what recent events have highlighted as a critical issue."

This is one of three core food supply chain asks of the next UK Government, as set out in AIC's recently published 2024 General Election manifesto.

The ask already has the backing of many industry bodies, politicians and leading academics. Go to the campaign webpage for full details.

Last year AIC commissioned Anglia Ruskin University to produce an independent report assessing the UK agri-food sector's productivity. The "Powering Productivity for Sustainable UK Food Security" report made a series of recommendations on sustainably enhancing our nation's food security.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said: "Food production is the primary purpose of farming and today we are taking action to clarify this principle.

"The six actions we are capping were always intended to be implemented on smaller areas of land, and these changes will help to maintain this intention and continue our commitment to maintain domestic food production."


www.agindustries.org.uk

AIC welcomes Defra cap on SFI actions in move to sustain food production

The area of land farmers can take out of food production under the Sustainable Farming Incentive will be capped, after industry concerns.
www.agindustries.org.uk www.agindustries.org.uk
Click to expand...
This unforgivable criminal organisation AIC are deeply concerned with increasing imports due to SFI because the AIC governed UFAS mills will import even more which will increase pressure against the illegal AIC saying these UFAS mills can't accept UK Gatekeeper lab tested grain. AIC spout anything in order to maintain or increase the money lining their pockets.
 
Andy26

Andy26

Moderator
Arable Farmer
Location
Northants
AIC welcomes domestic food security, there must be a second press release on its way, saying their members will stop importing commodities that have been depressing domestic prices which has been directly affecting domestic food security.

Need to check which organisation it was that won't allow UK grain into UK mills under the same procedure as the grain its members import, let me think...?

Maybe SFI is better for farmers than some think.
 
D

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
The 25% rule is a crude knee jerk measure that will cause considerable problems in some situations where 100% would have been fine : small farms, poor unproductive soils, geographical situation, farmer’s personal curcumstances. But of course AIC don’t give a toss about that.
What would be immeasurably better is some kind of sympathetic screening process at DEFRA (a case officer) for applications so that a human rather than a computer assessed the suitability much as with stewardship. In the end I think it would be better than a one system fits all solution made to fit the dead hand of a computer programme.
There are so many factors to consider if the best value is to be had from SFI. The present system which just encourages farmers to max out on the best paying option come what may, is hardly working for the public good.
So really just carry on with CS ahd reinstate BPS as an insurance/higher standard than imports compensator/ protector against supermarket exploitation/buffer against climate change/safety net kind of thing. To avoid it being seen as dole for farmers, make sure it can only be claimed in cropped or grazed areas.
 
Andy26

Andy26

Moderator
Arable Farmer
Location
Northants
DrWazzock said:
The 25% rule is a crude knee jerk measure that will cause considerable problems in some situations where 100% would have been fine : small farms, poor unproductive soils, geographical situation, farmer’s personal curcumstances. But of course AIC don’t give a toss about that.
What would be immeasurably better is some kind of sympathetic screening process at DEFRA (a case officer) for applications so that a human rather than a computer assessed the suitability much as with stewardship. In the end I think it would be better than a one system fits all solution made to fit the dead hand of a computer programme.
There are so many factors to consider if the best value is to be had from SFI. The present system which just encourages farmers to max out on the best paying option come what may, is hardly working for the public good.
So really just carry on with CS ahd reinstate BPS as an insurance/higher standard than imports compensator/ protector against supermarket exploitation/buffer against climate change/safety net kind of thing. To avoid it being seen as dole for farmers, make sure it can only be claimed in cropped or grazed areas.
Click to expand...
Isn't the thing there is no appetite for paying farmers subsidies, which is why paying for public goods was seen as more palatable.

Those on soils with good yield potential, large fields and the kindest climate don't need any subsidy, anybody yielding consistently 3.5t/acre WW or more doesn't need a subsidy.

SFI is ok, the market prices and market manipulation through lower standard imports, Red tractor etc, is not.

Fix that and SFI would only be entered on lower yielding, smaller parcels etc., had this been March 2022, I don't think there would of been any danger of SFI running out of budget (which is the problem, not food security), wheat was north of £300 and it looked liked firm prices were set to stay, although AIC members didn't hang about increasing the price of fertiliser faster than grain.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 105 40.5%

  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 94 36.3%

  • 25-50%

    Votes: 39 15.1%

  • 50-75%

    Votes: 5 1.9%

  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.2%

  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 13 5.0%
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