Published: 24/02/2026 By Phoebe Wreford-Glanvill
At the NFU Conference in Birmingham today (24 February 2026), DEFRA Secretary Emma Reynolds delivered a significant update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and a broader package of support for UK agriculture.Reynolds emphasised that the government has listened to farmers and is focused on delivering a simpler, fairer and more stable SFI scheme. The reformed offer will feature 71 actions, down from 102, to streamline the scheme and improve accessibility. Agreements under the new SFI will be capped at £100,000 per year. With 97% of farms already claiming below this threshold, the government said the cap is designed to distribute funding more equitably and ensure support reaches a wider range of small and medium-sized farms.
The updated SFI will reopen with two application windows: June for small farms and those without a live Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement, with small farms defined as holdings of three to 50 hectares registered with the Rural Payments Agency (as of 1 January 2026). A further application window will follow in September for all other farms, with further details to follow.
Alongside the SFI reforms, the Secretary of State announced a £345 million farm productivity package to strengthen profitability and resilience across the sector. This includes further rounds of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) and continued investment in innovation, helping farm businesses adopt new technologies, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
In addition, a new round of Environmental Land Management (ELM) Capital Grants will open in July 2026, with up to £225 million available. The funding will support infrastructure investments that deliver environmental outcomes and strengthen long-term resilience. Eligible items include hedgerow planting to enhance biodiversity, slurry storage facilities, natural flood management measures, and livestock equipment to improve water quality.
If you would like to start planning for environmental schemes or grant funding on your farm, please contact our Agricultural Consultant, Phoebe Wreford-Glanvill on 01305 756970 or our Rural Grants experts in your nearest Symonds & Sampson office.
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