Adrian Ramsay MP Urges Government to Restore Trust After Abrupt SFI Withdrawal
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has raised serious concerns about the Government’s handling of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), following its abrupt and unexplained withdrawal for new entrants earlier this year.
Speaking after meeting with farmers across Waveney Valley and writing to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“Farmers in my constituency have told me they feel blindsided by the Government’s decision to close new applications to the SFI without any warning or consultation. Many had invested time, money, and energy into preparing for the scheme only to face sudden rejection and financial uncertainty. This has severely undermined trust in the Government.”
He continued:
“The SFI scheme is not perfect, but it offers a meaningful replacement for the EU’s CAP payments and to a future in which farmers could invest in the natural capital of their land. In one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, this kind of support is essential for reversing catastrophic biodiversity loss. Without it, farmers say they may be forced to abandon environmental practices just to stay afloat.”
Adrian Ramsay has written to Daniel Zeichner MP, the responsible minister, seeking urgent answers on behalf of those affected. In his letter, he asked:
Will you confirm when the new eligibility criteria will be published?
What steps are you taking to prioritise farmers affected by the abrupt closure?
What reassurance can you give to those already in the SFI that they will be able to reapply in good time for future phases?
Can you guarantee that the full £2.4 billion annual farming budget will be protected through and beyond the Spending Review, so that Environmental Land Management schemes deliver on their promises for nature, food security, and rural livelihoods?
In closing Adrian Ramsay MP said, “The long-term success of environmental land management schemes should not be dictated by short-term Treasury pressures,” Ramsay added. “This is about protecting our countryside, strengthening rural livelihoods, and meeting our climate and biodiversity goals. Farmers deserve clarity — and a government that keeps its promises.”
ENDS
