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Sustainable Farming Incentive - What we know so far
Sustainable Farming Incentive - What we know so far
Post date
July 2023
The SFI will open in August 2023 for new applicants. The standards have been updated giving farmers a wider offer of options to apply to their farming business. There are now 8 different themes to the scheme giving a total of 23 actions to choose from.
Updates to the scheme since 2022
- An annual Management payment is available to cover participation costs.
- Some SFI Actions can be collocated with some Countryside Stewardship Options in the same parcels or areas of land.
- Shorter agreement lengths that do not require landlord consent to make the scheme more applicable to Tenants.
Key points:
- 3-year agreement
- Open ended application, so you can apply at any time. If it needs to be closed early then a 6-week notification will be given.
- Currently open to people who were eligible for BPS in 2022 or 2023 but did not have to have applied for BPS in these years.
- Paid in quarterly instalments with the first payment usually 4 months after the start of the agreement.
The SFI will open for applications in August 2023. If you would like to discuss an application or would like any more information, please contact us on info@akcagric.co.uk
Waste Exemptions are changing
What we know so far...
DEFRA have recently announced changes to the Waste Exemptions regime in England and Wales.
Some of the most used exemptions are either changing or being removed.
For example;
U1 - Use of waste in construction – Changing conditions
T6 – Treatment of waste wood - Changing conditions
T9 - Recovery of scrap metal – Removal
Previously waste exemptions have been free, however upcoming changes are expected to bring in new charges, which will be based on the activity and cost of regulation. Charges will be allocated on a case by case basis, with more complex cases receiving higher charges. New regulations are expected to come into force from April 2024.
If you would like to check your waste exemptions or need any further advice then please do contact us and we can help you make sure that you are compliant with your waste exemptions.
