SFI 2024 Reopening: What Growers Need to Know and How to Prepare

Defra’s decision to reopen the SFI 2024 scheme to a limited group of applicants follows pressure from NFU-backed farmers and a recognition that the scheme’s closure was mishandled.

The reopening presents an opportunity for some – but it's tightly restricted. For those who are eligible, this is a narrow window. For others, planning for future schemes starts now.

Our Environmental Services Team has reviewed the latest guidance and outlined below what this means in practice - and what growers should be doing next.

Who Can Apply?

This reopening only applies to businesses that meet one of the following criteria:

• You were part of the original SFI Pilot Scheme.
• You previously experienced and reported technical issues with the RPA portal.
• You started, but did not submit, an SFI application in the RPA system between 12 January and 11 March 2025.

If you fall into one of these groups, the RPA will be in touch and you’ll be able to complete and submit your application from:

• Opening: 12:00 noon, 7 July 2025
• Closing: 11:59 pm, 18 August 2025

This is a strict six-week window.
No extensions are expected.
 

Key Restrictions to Be Aware Of

This reopening is not a return to full scheme access. Defra has introduced several limitations:

• Single application per farm business
• Maximum value of £9,300 per year, excluding the management payment
• No additional land can be added to rotational actions after Year 1

Applications that exceed the cap will be rejected outright.

For those who were in the pilot group, these limits may not apply - but all other eligible applicants will need to work within them.

What This Means for Eligible Growers

If you started but didn’t complete an application earlier this year, this is a second chance - but there’s no margin for error.
Before submitting, we recommend:

• Reviewing your original application: Ensure the actions still make sense in the context of this season and your rotation.
• Checking your RPA mapping and land cover data: Any discrepancies could delay or derail your application.
• Prioritising actions that offer good environmental return and rotationally fit within the £9,300 cap. Suggested actions include ones that fit within your farming system eg. CSAM1, CIPM1, CNUM1 etc. Our contour platform can help make sure you are compliant with these plans.

Where possible, we also advise growers to plan for delivery beyond Year 1, even though land changes aren’t permitted after that point for rotational actions.

What If You’re Not Eligible?

Many businesses will not meet the criteria for this limited reopening. While that’s frustrating, it’s not the end of the road.

Defra has confirmed that new schemes will be launching for 2026, and updates are expected later this summer.

These are likely to include:

• A reformed SFI offer
• Further Countryside Stewardship options
• New rounds of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund grants

In the meantime, it’s worth taking steps now to ensure you’re ready to engage as soon as new opportunities open:

• Review your SBI, land parcels, and land covers for accuracy.
• Consider how future options might integrate with your cropping plan and rotation.
• Take stock of existing environmental delivery - what’s working, and what needs adjusting?
  
  
  

Support from Our Environmental Services Team

We know many are working with complex rotations, uncertain budgets, and ongoing change in policy.

Our role is to help clarify, plan, and guide -  not just during application windows, but throughout the year.

Our team is available to:

• Help you interpret scheme rules and how they apply on your farm
• Review mapping, parcel data, and compatibility with current land use
•  Provide technical insight on action suitability and scheme management
• Ensure compliance with plans for integrated pest management, Nutrient management and soil management

We aim to support good decision-making, not sell schemes. The priority is to make sure environmental measures deliver practically and financially - on farm, and for the long term.
 
If you think you may be eligible for the current SFI reopening or want to prepare for the next round, please contact your usual advisor or a member of our Environmental Services Team.