The Relationship between SFI and CSS ?

[Clive]

I'm struggling too get my head around how these 2 schemes will work together

I'm in SFI pilot but a requirement of pilot was no existing CSS agreements so we held off purposely on CSS last year

I want to do CSS ........ there are options there that are more finically attractive than SFI and I think will enhance environment more whilst sitting alongside our food production BUT I cant get my head around haw these schemes fit together ? will more SFI option replace CSS or is CSS here to stay as part of all this ?

The scheme are run by different agencies (Natural England vs RPA). will that remain the case ? seems so much overlap in all this as both schemes ultimately aim to achieve similar result ??


In summary should I now apply for CSS or will that be outdated, superseded by SFI almost as soon as I do ?

@Janet Hughes Defra A similar question to mine above was asked in the SFI pilot Welcome zoom I did last week but I think it went unanswered, I have spoken too several farmers in wondering they same about how the schemes will work together (or not as the case maybe). Can you shed any light on this please ? (Help line had no idea when asked BTW !)

 

[bobk]

Not sure anyone has an idea what's going on

 

[Clive]

Not sure anyone has an idea what's going on

I think there probably is a plan - just needs communicating and feedback so they understand which bits we don't understand. !!

I think this question above is one a lot are taking themselves though as if the scheme are to sit alongside each other in the future we need to plan options etc around that

 

[beardface]

We're looking into mid tier for next year. We've come out of higher tier this year (thank god). Personally I think Cs is a better long term bet than sfi. Mainly because Cs will still be going after the next election, regardless of who's in power, as its a more independent beast to elms. Which, if there was a change of government or even cabinet, could be scrapped anyway.

 

[bobk]

We're looking into mid tier for next year. We've come out of higher tier this year (thank god). Personally I think Cs is a better long term bet than sfi. Mainly because Cs will still be going after the next election, regardless of who's in power, as its a more independent beast to elms. Which, if there was a change of government or even cabinet, could be scrapped anyway.

I looked at mid tier , didn't fancy it one bit , playing with corners isn't much use
Also the fact it's administered by NE put me off totally

 

[Farma Parma]

Meeting on Fri with folks from NE as there v keen on me doing either or but can do more in new scheme of course.
See what becomes of that & then the maths after that. Ive said no less arable unless it pays really well.
SFI is a waste of paper its written into as it all stands i think

 

[BenAdamsAgri]

I'm struggling too get my head around how these 2 schemes will work together

I'm in SFI pilot but a requirement of pilot was no existing CSS agreements so we held off purposely on CSS last year

I want to do CSS ........ there are options there that are more finically attractive than SFI and I think will enhance environment more whilst sitting alongside our food production BUT I cant get my head around haw these schemes fit together ? will more SFI option replace CSS or is CSS here to stay as part of all this ?

The scheme are run by different agencies (Natural England vs RPA). will that remain the case ? seems so much overlap in all this as both schemes ultimately aim to achieve similar result ??


In summary should I now apply for CSS or will that be outdated, superseded by SFI almost as soon as I do ?

@Janet Hughes Defra A similar question to mine above was asked in the SFI pilot Welcome zoom I did last week but I think it went unanswered, I have spoken too several farmers in wondering they same about how the schemes will work together (or not as the case maybe). Can you shed any light on this please ? (Help line had no idea when asked BTW !)

you cant apply to both the sfi pilot and css on the same parcels, by the time your 3 year sfi pilot is over css wont be available. In the future, full sfi and mainly the local nature recovery is due to take over css

 

[beardface]

I looked at mid tier , didn't fancy it one bit , playing with corners isn't much use
Also the fact it's administered by NE put me off totally

We were in HLS before the RPA got involved. Scheme paid more per ha, had less paperwork and there was always an advisor to help you. I'd much rather deal with Natural England than the RPA.

 

[beardface]

you cant apply to both the sfi pilot and css on the same parcels, by the time your 3 year sfi pilot is over css wont be available. In the future, full sfi and mainly the local nature recovery is due to take over css

Supposedly. There could be a different regime in number 10 by then with different ideas. I'd be very surprised if the whole sub job is sorted in 10 years time.

 

[steveR]

I looked at mid tier , didn't fancy it one bit , playing with corners isn't much use
Also the fact it's administered by NE put me off totally

This!!

 

[Badshot]

I understand that you can have CSS and SFI together, as long as the options are delivering different things.
I don't know anything about CSS at all though.

 

[bobk]

This!!

Sooner take my chance farming it tbh

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

As I understand it, when Elms is rolled out, the options will gradually be transferred over from CS. CS will be phased out by the end of bps, If in doubt ask Janet.

 

[bobk]

As I understand it, when Elms is rolled out, the options will gradually be transferred over from CS. CS will be phased out by the end of bps, If in doubt ask Janet.

What happens with a change of govt ?

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

What happens with a change of govt ?

Some policies change and some don't I suppose. Once you have an agreement though, it should be good for the term.

 

[bobk]

Some policies change and some don't I suppose. Once you have an agreement though, it should be good for the term.

Nothing wrong with the present scheme , give us some cash and we'll make it look pretty

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

Nothing wrong with the present scheme , give us some cash and we'll make it look pretty

Which present scheme?

 

[bobk]

Which present scheme?

BPS

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

Which present scheme?

BPS

Being phased out though?

 

[bobk]

Being phased out though?

It is , to be replaced by a pile of poop , we shouldn't need to be subbed to make a living