Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes her Department plans to make to the Sustainable Farming Incentive application system before the opening of the 2027 scheme, particularly in relation to (a) land parcel information, (b) action areas and (c) application verification; and what technical problems qualify for consideration under the arrangements for applicants unable to submit applications in September 2026.

Demand for SFI26 Window 2 exceeded the available funding. The Government plans to offer SFI in 2027, in keeping with the Farming Roadmap 2050. Defra is exploring future application arrangements and alternatives to a first-come, first-served application process for SFI in 2027. Detailed scheme arrangements and timings will be published once design and delivery planning have been completed.