“This announcement is a big win for nature-friendly farmers, and I’m really pleased to see the Government has listened to our concerns and responded to what we’ve been calling for,” said Martin Lines. “It’s encouraging to see the Minister recognises the need for certainty and continuity for farmers leading the way in delivering food security, nature recovery and climate resilience.
This financial commitment provides much-needed reassurance and stability for those farmers who have already invested in farming with nature. It’s a strong signal that the Government remains committed to a farming transition that works for people, nature and the climate. We now look forward to working closely with ministers to ensure that future schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, continue to support and reward farmers for taking ambitious action for our environment.”
Our campaign has made a difference.
NFFN has been leading the call for a one-year rollover since early July, when our CEO Martin Lines raised the issue directly with then Minister Daniel Zeichner. We were the first organisation to highlight the urgent need to bridge the gap between expiring CS agreements and the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. It's clear that this early and sustained campaigning helped make a difference.
Several farmers within the NFFN network also spoke up about the impact this uncertainty was having on their businesses. Their voices played an important role in showing how important ongoing support is for both food and nature.
The extension is an important step in ensuring farmers are not penalised for their environmental ambition. It also sends a clear message that nature-based farming is central to the UK’s food and climate strategy.
We will keep working with Defra as details of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive and wider ELM rollout are finalised, making sure nature-friendly farmers continue to have the support and recognition they deserve.
