Sustainable farming fund runs dry after just six hours

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

The UK government’s £233 million Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme for 2026 closed just six hours after opening due to rapid oversubscription, leaving thousands of farmers without funding. This unprecedented closure raises concerns among environmental groups and farmers about the scheme’s budget planning and the impact on meeting national environmental targets, with no further applications accepted until 2027.

The UK government’s £233 million Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme for 2026 closed to applications just six hours after opening, leaving thousands of farmers unable to secure funding. The application window opened at 10 a.m. yesterday and was closed by 4 p.m. once the budget was fully allocated.

SFI, which replaced the European Union’s common agricultural policy payments, is designed to reward farmers for activities that benefit nature, soil health, and other public goods, rather than merely for farming or land ownership. The scheme aims to support the transition to environmentally sustainable farming practices. With the 2026 round now closed, farmers will not have another chance to apply until 2027.

The rapid depletion of funds has sparked concern among environmental and agricultural groups. Vicki Hird, strategic lead on agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, described the rush for funding as akin to a “scramble” and called for better budget planning to ensure farmers can access vital financial support for nature conservation, food security, and national security.

Alice Groom, head of sustainable land policy at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), characterized the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that while quick uptake of funds was expected, it was surprising for the entire budget to be exhausted within a single day. Groom criticized the current “first come, first served” approach, emphasizing that thousands of farmers missing out on funding could hinder efforts to meet environmental goals, including legally binding targets to restore 30% of nature by 2030.

Farmers encountered significant difficulties during the application process, with some waiting up to five hours to receive assistance. Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, warned that this delay likely meant many applicants received help only after the scheme had closed, denying them the opportunity to secure support. He characterized the situation as “terribly sad,” highlighting the desperation among farmers who have endured a challenging year marked by severe heat and drought alongside rising fertiliser costs linked to geopolitical tensions in Iran.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) described recent months as the “toughest summer in a generation” for the sector and urged the government to provide a clear plan for the 2027 SFI scheme. They called for greater transparency around the budget and expressed ongoing concern that the current limited funding threatens established environmental initiatives and does not fully acknowledge farmers’ willingness to achieve enhanced environmental outcomes.

In August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an additional £50 million for the 2026 SFI, which was incorporated into this funding round. While the NFU welcomed this boost, stakeholders emphasized the need for more sustainable financial planning to ensure consistent support for farmers committed to environmentally responsible agriculture.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.