SFI26 – We’re Glad it’s Over! Roll on SFI27?

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Ellice Hahne (FCG Midwest)

SFI26 opened for applications at 10:00 on the 22nd of September, with a limited budget of £230 million, plus £3 million that was left over from window 1. Within less than 2 hours, 25% of the budget was allocated, and Defra added another £20 million to the pot. Even so, the application window closed just before 16:00, less than 6 hours after it opened.

Within our FCG offices, colleagues came together to submit our clients’ applications. We had worked over the summer to prepare these applications and get everything ready, which helped us submit as many of our clients’ applications as possible. We all worked together to submit these applications on the day, and worked tirelessly, surviving on chocolate and tea (no time for lunch!). Despite this, we were slowed down by issues during the day, from land use errors to being locked out of the RPA website due to an overloaded system!

Even so, being under time pressure on the day, we had to drop or change options on certain applications, and some of our clients missed out on an application because the window shut as we were a click away from submitting theirs. While we are proud of the team for what we achieved given the circumstances, we are disappointed for those clients that missed out.

Overall, the SFI26 application process was… harrowing. This is coming from someone who managed to submit most of her clients’ applications, had support from colleagues, and was able to block out the entire day to focus on this. I can only imagine how frustrating this will have been for farmers who had other priorities and expected to get back to the office for their application once the farm essentials were done.

Defra have already confirmed that there will be an SFI27 scheme and are looking to get away from the “first come, first serve” model of SFI26. What this will look like, and what the budget will be, we will have to see. One thing is sure – preparation will be key, again! Our newsletter will keep you updated about any SFI27 news we receive.

Please get in touch with Ellice Hahne at ellicehahne@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office if you would like our help when the next application window comes.

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