SFI26: scheme rules and guidance: v4.0 August 2026
\n\nWindow 1 closed for applications at 11:59pm on 28 August 2026.
\nWindow 2 will open in September 2026 for all farmers and land managers.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pays farmers and land managers to do sustainable land management activities that:
\n\nThese activities are referred to as ‘SFI actions’.
\n\nYou can apply for an SFI26 agreement to get paid to do SFI actions if you and your land are eligible. The agreement will usually last for 3 years, depending on which actions you select. You’ll be paid in quarterly instalments.
\n\nTo make sure you understand what you’re required to do under an SFI26 agreement, read:
\n\nThe scheme rules are contained in the following sections of this document:
\n\nThe other SFI26 scheme information (in this document and on the SFI26 GOV.UK webpage) includes guidance to help you apply for, and manage, your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nIf you already have an agreement for:
\n\nWe have made the following main changes to the SFI26 offer:
\n\nThere will be 2 application windows for SFI26.
\n\n‘Window 1’ closed for applications at 11:59pm on 28 August 2026. It was open to 2 eligible groups: small farms and farms without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement.
\n\n‘Window 2’ will open in September 2026 for all farmers and land managers.
\n\nAs in previous years, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will open applications in a controlled way.
\n\nWe cannot set a fixed application closure date for Window 2 as that will depend on demand.
\n\nOnce applications open, we’ll publish updates on how much of the Window 2 budget has been allocated on Defra’s Farming Blog. We intend to do this once 25%, 50% and 75% of the funding is allocated.
\n\nEach farm business, as identified by its Single Business Identifier (SBI), can only:
\n\nThese limits only apply to SFI26 agreements. You can still apply for an SFI26 agreement if you have an existing SFI24 or SFI23 agreement.
\n\nTo apply for an SFI26 agreement, you need to meet both:
\n\nYou can only apply for an SFI26 agreement in Window 2 if you:
\n\nYou cannot apply for an SFI26 agreement on common land (including shared grazing).
\n\nNo longer relevant as Window 1 has closed for applications.
\n\nTo be eligible to apply in Window 2, your farm business needs to be registered with the RPA (so it has an SBI) at the point you want to start an application.
\n\nThis is in addition to the eligibility requirements which apply to all SFI26 applicants (set out in section 3.1).
\n\nAgricultural land is defined as land registered by the RPA with the following land covers shown on your digital maps:
\n\nThis applies to the 3ha minimum area threshold at the point you want to start an application (explained in section 3.1).
\n\nIf you’ve received a payment under the Lump Sum Exit Scheme to leave or retire from farming:
\n\nIf you receive delinked payments (which replaced BPS payments from 2024), you’re eligible to apply for an SFI agreement. This is because you will not be paid twice for a similar activity on the same area of land at the same time (known as ‘double funding’).
\n\nA public body is a formally established organisation that is publicly funded to provide a public or government service.
\n\nPublic bodies include:
\n\nSee a list of all departments, agencies and public bodies.
\n\nPublic bodies are eligible to apply for an SFI agreement if they will not be paid under SFI to complete activities that they are already:
\n\nIf you’re a tenant on land owned by a public body, you can only enter that land into an SFI agreement if there will be no double funding. Read section 6.3 ‘Land you occupy under a tenancy agreement’.
\n\nYou would usually have to wait until your existing ELM revenue agreement ends before applying for the full range of SFI26 actions on land in that agreement.
\n\nThis is because many SFI26 actions would:
\n\nFor Window 2, there will be some new functionality in the SFI26 application service for farmers with eligible ELM revenue agreements that are ending soon. Before these agreements end, this will allow these farmers to:
\n\nThe following information explains how this new SFI26 Window 2 SAE functionality will work.
\n\nYou can only use the SFI26 Window 2 SAE functionality if your farm business (identified by its SBI) has an eligible ELM revenue agreement that ends on or before 28 February 2027.
\n\nThis is the latest end date that would still give farmers enough time to apply for and enter an SFI26 agreement in this financial year. SFI26 agreements must start by 1 April 2027 to use this financial year’s available budget.
\n\nThe following table sets out the ELM revenue schemes and agreement end dates which will be eligible for the new SFI26 Window 2 SAE functionality.
\n\n| \nELM revenue scheme | \nAgreement end dates | \n
|---|---|
| SFI23 | \nFrom 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027 | \n
| Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier (CSMT) | \n31 December 2026 | \n
| Legacy CS Higher Tier (CSHT) | \n31 December 2026 | \n
| Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) | \nBy 28 February 2027 | \n
ELM revenue agreements due to end on 1 March 2027 or later are ineligible for the new SFI26 Window 2 SAE functionality.
\n\nThe SFI26 application process will remain the same for all eligible farmers and land managers in Window 2.
\n\nHowever, the new SFI26 Window 2 SAE functionality will allow farmers with eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements (as set out in section 3.8.1) to apply for SFI26 actions on land that would not normally be available.
\n\nThis is possible because the SFI26 agreement will not start until after the relevant eligible expiring ELM revenue agreement ends. Read section 3.8.3 ‘SFI26 agreement start dates for farmers with eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements’.
\n\nRPA will offer SFI26 agreements to farmers with eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements (as set out in section 3.8.1) before their expiring agreement ends, wherever possible. However, this cannot be guaranteed.
\n\nWhere the RPA offers an SFI26 agreement to these farmers before their expiring agreement ends, the Window 2 SAE functionality will allow those farmers to accept their SFI26 agreement offer.
\n\nIn this case, the SFI26 agreement start date will usually be the first day of the calendar month after the relevant eligible expiring ELM revenue agreement ends.
\n\nThis is to avoid incompatibility and double funding between the SFI26 actions applied for and what is in the eligible expiring ELM revenue agreement.
\n\nThe SFI26 agreement start date may not be the first day of the calendar month after the relevant eligible expiring ELM revenue agreement ends if, for example:
\n\nIf you have multiple eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements, your SFI26 agreement will not start until after the agreement with the latest expiry date ends.
\n\nFor example, if you have a CSMT agreement ending on 31 December 2026 and an SFI23 agreement ending on 28 February 2027, your SFI26 agreement will not start until 1 March 2027 at the earliest.
\n\nAll farmers with eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements will have their SFI26 agreement start date delayed until after their relevant expiring agreement ends. This is because the new Window 2 SAE functionality cannot differentiate between these farmers. This includes if they apply only for:
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nThe SFI26 actions include:
\n\nYou can apply for the SFI26 actions without specialist advice or prior endorsement.
\n\nIf your land (including landscape features, as relevant) is eligible, you can apply for any combination of SFI26 actions.
\n\nThere are specific rules which apply to different types of SFI26 actions. For example, ‘limited area’ SFI actions. These are explained in this section.
\n\nEach SFI26 action is set out in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool. To view all 71 of the SFI26 actions, enter ‘SFI26’ into the search function.
\n\nYou can also search and filter to view actions by action codes (for example, ‘SOH1’), land types or areas of interest (such as ‘soil health’).
\n\nThere’s also a print version of the SFI26 actions if you prefer this format.
\n\nThe SFI26 action codes on GOV.UK are the same as they were for the SFI24 versions of the actions.
\n\nAnnex A provides a summary of the SFI26 action codes, titles and payment rates.
\n\nEach SFI26 action includes the mandatory requirements you must comply with to get paid.
\n\nThe following details are included in each SFI26 action:
\n\nMost SFI26 actions also include voluntary advice to help you do the action. You do not have to follow this, as it is not part of the action’s requirements.
\n\nSome SFI actions are ‘rotational’. This means that, for the second and third years of an SFI26 agreement, you can:
\n\nEach SFI26 action in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool sets out if it’s a rotational action.
\n\nWhen you select a rotational SFI action in your SFI26 application, you’ll tell the RPA its location and area for the first year of your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nThe location you enter into your SFI26 application can be either:
\n\nThe area you enter for the first year of your SFI26 agreement sets the maximum area limit for that rotational SFI action. This means you cannot increase the area entered into the action above this limit for the second and third agreement years.
\n\nYou can decrease the area entered into a rotational SFI action for the second and third agreement years.
\n\nIf you decrease the area for the second agreement year, you can increase it for the third agreement year. However, the area cannot be more than the maximum area limit set in the first agreement year.
\n\nFor example, if you enter 10ha into a rotational SFI action for the first year, this sets the maximum area limit for that action for the duration of your SFI26 agreement. You could decrease the area to 5ha for the second year and increase it back up to the maximum 10ha for the third year.
\n\nIf your SFI26 agreement includes rotational SFI actions, you must complete a ‘rotational actions declaration’. This is to tell the RPA about the location and area of your rotational SFI actions for the next year of your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nYou must complete and submit your rotational actions declaration towards the end of the first and second years of your SFI26 agreement. You will not be paid for the next agreement year until you do this.
\n\nThe RPA will issue further guidance on how to do this for SFI26 agreements.
\n\nSome SFI actions are ‘static’ only. This means you must do the action at the same location and on the same area each year of its duration.
\n\nEach SFI26 action in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool sets out if it’s a static action.
\n\nSome SFI actions can only be done on up to 25% of your farm (‘limited area’ SFI actions). This is because:
\n\nthey take land out of agricultural production
\nyou are unlikely to deliver the action’s aim if you do it on a larger area
\nThe total eligible area you enter into any combination of one or more of the limited area actions must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm. This applies across all SFI agreements, and CSHT agreements from 2025 onwards.
\n\nWhen you apply for limited area actions in your SFI26 application, the 25% limit will take into account any limited area actions you already have in:
\n\nNote: the 25% limit was not applied retrospectively to SFI 2023 agreements which were applied for on or before 26 March 2024, however:
\n\nYou may find it helpful to use the SFI26 limited area actions calculator.
\n\nFor the purpose of limited area SFI actions:
\n\nDefra will keep this 25% limited area action rule under review.
\n\nEach SFI26 action in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool sets out if it’s a limited area action.
\n\nFor SFI26, the following changes have been made:
\n\nThe following table sets out the limited area actions for SFI, and CSHT from 2025 onwards.
\n\n| \nSFI limited area actions | \n\nCSHT limited area actions | \n
|---|---|
| CIPM2: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips (IPM2 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nCAB18: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips (on arable land or permanent crops) | \n
| CAHL1: Pollen and nectar flower mix (AHL1 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nCAB19: Pollen and nectar flower mix | \n
| CAHL2: Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land (AHL2 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nCAB17: Winter bird food on arable and horticulture land | \n
| CAHL3: Grassy field corners or blocks (AHL3 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nNot applicable | \n
| CIGL1: Take improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management (IGL1 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nNot applicable | \n
| CIGL2: Winter bird food on improved grassland (IGL2 in the SFI 2023 offer) | \nNot applicable | \n
| WBD3: In-field grass strips (for SFI26 and SFI24) | \nNot applicable | \n
| AHW1: Bumblebird mix (for SFI24 only) | \nCAB16: Bumblebird mix | \n
| AHW7: Enhanced overwinter stubble (for SFI26 only) | \nNot applicable | \n
| AHW9: Unharvested cereal headland (for SFI26 and SFI24) | \nCAB10: Unharvested cereal headland | \n
| AHW11: Cultivated areas for arable plants (for SFI26 and SFI24) | \nCAB11: Cultivated areas for arable plants | \n
There are some ‘supplemental’ SFI actions which you can only do in combination with a ‘base’ action.
\n\nEach SFI26 action in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool sets out:
\n\nYou can only apply for an SFI26 supplemental action if you select a supporting base action in the same SFI26 application.
\n\nThere are some ‘organic-specific’ SFI26 actions for:
\n\norganic conversion, which you can only do on land that’s registered as ‘in conversion’ with a DEFRA-licensed organic control body (OCB)
\norganic land management once you’ve converted your land to organic status, which you can only do on land that’s registered as ‘fully organic’ with an OCB
\nYou can find the organic-specific SFI actions in the ‘Find funding for land or farms’ tool.
\n\nYou can enter organic land into other SFI actions which are not organic-specific if it’s an eligible land type. Read section 5.1 ‘Eligible land for area-based SFI actions’ for more information.
\n\nThere is 1 ‘agreement level’ SFI26 action (AHW2: Supplementary winter bird food). You do not enter specific areas of land into this action. Instead, you enter the relevant tonnage which you want to include in your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nYou can only do SFI actions on an area of land or landscape feature if it is:
\n\nEach area-based SFI action sets out which land is eligible for the action. This includes:
\n\nIt’s your responsibility to check that the area (in hectares) of land you enter into each area-based SFI action is eligible.
\n\nLand type describes the type of land in more detail. For example, different types of grassland, such as improved grassland.
\n\nThe area you enter into each area-based SFI action must be an eligible land type for the action at the start of your SFI26 agreement. If the land type changes because of the action you’re doing, it will not affect eligibility. You’ll continue to be paid for the action.
\n\nThe following table defines eligible land types for SFI.
\n\n| Land type | \nDefinition of land type | \n
|---|---|
| Arable land used to grow crops | \nLand that’s been cultivated to produce arable crops. For example, combinable crops, root crops, crops grown for animal feed (such as forage rape), field vegetables and cut flowers, bulbs or soft fruit which are not ‘permanent crops’. | \n
| Temporary grassland | \nLand that’s often part of an arable crop rotation and has usually been grassland for less than 5 consecutive years. | \n
| Arable land lying fallow | \nFallow land that’s available for crop production. | \n
| Permanent crops | \nLand used to grow crops that usually: - occupy the land for 5 years or more - provide repeated harvests (other than permanent grassland) | \n
| Horticultural permanent crops | \nPermanent crops (as defined) such as commercial orchards, bush fruits, hops and vines. | \n
| Non-horticultural permanent crops | \nPermanent crops (as defined) such as miscanthus, reed canary grass, nursery crops and short rotation coppice. | \n
| Permanent grassland | \nLand used to grow grass (or other herbaceous forage) for 5 consecutive years or more that’s not been included in an arable crop rotation. | \n
| Improved permanent grassland | \nPermanent grassland (as defined) that’s been agriculturally ‘improved’ by doing at least one of the following activities: - regularly reseeding, or reseeding within the last 15 years - regularly applying fertiliser (typically at least 100 kilograms per hectare per year of nitrogen as an artificial compound fertiliser or animal manures and slurries) - blanket herbicide application to treat weeds - maintaining field drains - taking conserved forage as silage, haylage or hay more than once a year Improved permanent grassland will usually have a high cover of ryegrasses and white clover, with a low cover of wildflowers and sedges. | \n
| Semi-improved low input permanent grassland | \nPermanent grassland (as defined) that’s had some agricultural ‘improvement’ by doing at least one of the following activities: - applying low amounts of artificial compound fertiliser or animal manures and slurries - applying localised herbicide to treat weeds - maintaining field drains infrequently (hay meadows may be more actively drained) - taking conserved forage as hay or haylage no more than once a year Semi-improved permanent grassland will usually have a moderate cover (around 30%) of ryegrasses and white clover, with a high cover of wildflowers and sedges. | \n
| Unimproved low input permanent grassland (including rough grazing) | \nPermanent grassland (as defined) that’s had no agricultural ‘improvement’, usually for at least 15 years. For example: - no reseeding - no application of artificial compound fertiliser or animal manures and slurries - no application of herbicide to treat weeds | \n
| Species-rich permanent grassland | \nPermanent grassland (as defined) that has: - minimal cover of white clover and perennial rye grass – this will usually be less than around 10% of the area - a species-rich sward – this usually means there are more than 15 plant species per square metre, including grasses - a high cover of wildflowers and sedges, excluding white clover, creeping buttercup, and injurious weeds – this will usually be more than around 30% of the area | \n
| Moorland (including rough grazing) | \nPermanent grassland (as defined) and certain non-agricultural features, such as scrub, scree, bracken and bog, which are above the moorland line. The vegetation of moorland areas is usually: - semi-natural moorland habitats including heathland, blanket bog, rough acid grasslands, rushy flushes, swamps, mires and bracken - upland calcareous grassland Much upland moorland is either registered common land or shared grazing. | \n
It’s important that you understand:
\n\nThe following table explains the differences.
\n\n| Difference | \nLand covers | \nLand uses | \n
|---|---|---|
| Different level of detail | \nLand covers describe broadly what covers the surface of the ground in a land parcel. For example, arable land, woodland or man-made structures such as farm buildings. | \nLand uses describe the detailed way you’re using the land cover in a land parcel. For example, an arable land cover is being used for land uses such as winter wheat or whatever specific arable crop you’re growing on that land. | \n
| Different identification methods | \nEach land cover is identified by either an agricultural or non-agricultural cover. There are 3 agricultural land covers (arable land, permanent grassland and permanent crops). There are a number of non-agricultural land covers, such as farmyards, woodland and ponds. | \n Each land use is identified by a ‘land use code’. There are a number of land use codes. You can find them on GOV.UK. | \n
| Different recording methods | \nYou register land covers with the RPA. They are shown on your digital maps in the Rural Payments service. | \n You declare land uses on the ‘Land use’ screen in the Rural Payments service. They are not registered by the RPA or shown on your digital maps. | \n
| Different processes for updating | \nYou ask the RPA to update the land covers shown on your digital maps. To request an update, sign in to the Rural Payments service, select ‘Land’ and use ‘Request rural land changes’. Updating your land covers does not update the land uses you’ve declared. | \n You update your declared land uses in the Rural Payments service. To do this, sign in to the Rural Payments service, select ‘Land’ and use the ‘Land use’ screen. Updating your land uses does not update the land covers on your digital maps. | \n
You can only apply for area-based SFI actions in a land parcel if:
\n\nFor example, if the registered land cover is 10ha of arable land, there would need to be a corresponding 10ha of compatible arable land uses. This could include land use codes such as AC66 (winter wheat), TG01 (temporary grassland) or FA01 (fallow).
\n\nEach area-based SFI action sets out the eligible land covers and compatible land use codes.
\n\nRead Annex B: ‘Registered land covers and compatible land use codes’ for more information.
\n\nIf the land covers and land uses are not compatible, or their areas do not match, this will prevent you from selecting the affected land parcel in your SFI26 application. We’ll publish how to apply online guidance to help you resolve this issue and continue with your application.
\n\nThe application service automatically calculates the area in each land parcel which may be eligible for each area-based SFI action you select. This is called the ‘available area’.
\n\nEach area-based SFI action sets out the available area in a land parcel that you can enter into the action. For example, total or part of the available area, or total available area only.
\n\nTo calculate the available area in each land parcel, the application service takes the parcel’s total area and deducts (as relevant) any area that’s been:
\n\nAny area that’s in a rotational ES option will be included in the available area. Therefore, you’ll need to deduct any area entered into a rotational ES option that’s incompatible with your selected SFI action, or means there would be double funding.
\n\nIt’s your responsibility to check that the area you enter into an area-based SFI action in each land parcel:
\n\nEach feature-based SFI action sets out which landscape features are eligible for the action. This includes:
\n\nIt’s your responsibility to check that the landscape feature you enter into a feature-based SFI action is eligible for the action.
\n\nEach SFI action sets out:
\n\nif land with historic or archaeological features is eligible for the action
\nthat you’re required to get an SFI Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) from Historic England before you do the affected SFI action on this land if it’s eligible – read section 5.3.1 ‘How to request an SFI HEFER’
\nHistoric or archaeological features include:
\n\nIf land with historic or archaeological features is ineligible for an SFI action, this only affects the area where the feature is located in a land parcel. You can apply for the SFI action on the remaining area in the land parcel if it’s eligible for the action.
\n\nIf you have not requested an SFI HEFER before, you need to register to use the HEFER portal. You will be sent an email to confirm your registration.
\n\nOnce you’re registered, you can request an SFI HEFER by entering your SBI. You will be sent an email when your SFI HEFER is available to download. This will usually be within 2 days from when you request it.
\n\nYou cannot use a HEFER you’ve already got for an existing SFI or CS agreement.
\n\nYour SFI HEFER will:
\n\nIf your SFI HEFER identifies a scheduled monument, you may need to get consent from Historic England before you do your selected SFI actions on this land. Read section 10.2 ‘Scheduled monument consent’ to find out when you must get scheduled monument consent and how to get it.
\n\nWhen you do your selected SFI actions, you must avoid causing damage to historic or archaeological features.
\n\nEach SFI action sets out activities which you must avoid doing on land with historic or archaeological features, such as:
\n\ngrowing deep rooted species
\nallowing areas of scrub to develop
\nIf an SFI action requires you to take soil samples, where possible, you should avoid doing this on land with historic or archaeological features.
\n\nIf you need to take soil samples on a scheduled monument, you must not do this unless you have scheduled monument consent from Historic England. Read section 10.2 ‘Scheduled monument consent’ to find out how to get this.
\n\nIf you need to take soil samples on a SHINE feature, registered park and garden or registered battlefield, you should only:
\n\ntake enough soil samples to meet the SFI action’s requirements
\nsample to a maximum depth of 7.5 centimetres (cm) on permanent grassland or around 20 to 25cm on arable land (including temporary grassland)
\nEach SFI action sets out:
\n\nRead section 10.1 ‘SSSI consent’ to find out how to get SSSI consent.
\n\nYou may be able to enter land that’s conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax (or designated as the object of a Maintenance Fund) into SFI actions.
\n\nThis is only possible if you will not be paid under SFI for activities that duplicate or conflict with the requirements of the Inheritance Tax agreement (known as ‘undertakings’).
\n\nRead the guidance on ‘Eligible funding on land conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax’ to find out which SFI actions you can apply for on land that’s conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax.
\n\nYou can enter land that’s already in an agreement for another funding scheme or grant into SFI26 actions if it meets all 3 of the following conditions:
\n\nThese 3 conditions apply to land that’s already in an agreement for the following funding schemes and grants:
\n\nLandscape Recovery
\nYou can enter land that’s in an existing capital grants agreement into an SFI26 agreement. This is because they pay for different things.
\n\nEach SFI26 action sets out which other SFI actions, CSHT actions, legacy CSHT and CS options and ES options you can do on the same area in a land parcel as the SFI26 action. This is known as ‘stacking’.
\n\nIf an SFI26 action cannot be stacked on the same area as another SFI action, CSHT action, legacy CSHT and CSMT option, or ES option, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. This is known as ‘co-locating’.
\n\nThis is only possible if the area:
\n\nYou can enter land (including landscape features) that’s already in a private sector scheme into SFI26 actions if it’s eligible for the action.
\n\nPrivate sector schemes include arrangements such as:
\n\nPrivate sector schemes are not subject to the 3 conditions set out in section 5.6. However, Defra will review its policy on the eligibility of land in private sector schemes for SFI each year.
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nYou must have management control of the land parcels you enter into your SFI26 agreement for the entire duration of the SFI actions you select for that land.
\n\nThis includes any landscape features, such as hedgerows or ponds. Each relevant SFI action explains how management control works for these features.
\n\nMost SFI26 actions have a 3-year duration. If you only select SFI actions with a 3-year duration, your SFI26 agreement will last for 3 years. In this case, you must have management control of the land in your SFI26 agreement for its entire 3-year duration.
\n\nHowever, there are a small number of organic conversion actions which last for up to 2 years. If you select these actions, you must have management control of the land you enter into them for the action’s entire duration. Their duration may be shorter than your SFI26 agreement’s duration if you also select 3-year actions.
\n\nYou’ll have management control if you have sufficient control over how the land is managed to complete the SFI actions you’ve selected.
\n\nFor SFI, this means you’re the person actively farming or managing the land. Usually, this means you’re:
\n\nIf 2 or more farmers have a share farming agreement for the land (but their businesses are separate entities), only one farmer can:
\n\nYou must:
\n\nYou will not have management control of land for SFI if you’re:
\n\nIf you occupy land under an FBT or an Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancy agreement, you must make sure that you will not breach the conditions of your tenancy agreement by entering this land into an SFI26 agreement.
\n\nYour SFI26 agreement can include land you occupy under a tenancy which is due to expire before the 3-year duration of your SFI26 agreement (or 2-year duration in the case of most organic conversion actions).
\n\nHowever, you must only enter this short-term tenanted land into an SFI26 agreement if you expect to have management control of it for the entire duration of the SFI actions you select.
\n\nThis will usually be the case if, for example, you occupy land under an FBT granted for a term of:
\n\nIf you are not sure if your tenancy will continue (or be renewed), you need to check this with your landlord before you enter the land into an SFI26 agreement.
\n\nIf you only have access to land under a licence arrangement (so you’re a licensee), it’s unlikely you have sufficient control over how the land is managed to complete what’s required in the SFI actions you choose.
\n\nIn this case, the licensor (usually the owner occupier) can enter the land into an SFI agreement and make the licensee aware of its requirements, if relevant.
\n\nIf, in practice, your arrangement with the landowner gives you wider land management responsibilities, similar to those of a tenant, you may be able to enter this land into an SFI26 agreement. For example, some licences on Ministry of Defence land operate in this way. If this applies, read section 6.3 ‘Land you occupy under a tenancy agreement’.
\n\nIf you lose management control of the land in your SFI26 agreement before it ends (or before the end date for the SFI actions on that land if that’s earlier), you must tell the RPA in writing as soon as possible.
\n\nRead section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply with your agreement’ to find out how to do this.
\n\nIf you lose management control of:
\n\nIn both cases, the RPA may ask you to repay some or all the payments you’ve already received.
\n\nIf you do not tell the RPA about your loss of management control of the land, this may be a breach of your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nBefore you apply for an SFI26 agreement, you need to complete the following steps.
\n\nTo apply in Window 2, your farm business needs to be registered with the RPA (so it has an SBI) at the point you want to start an application.
\n\nIf you are not already registered with the RPA, call 03000 200 301 to register your farm business and get an online account for the Rural Payments service.
\n\nOnce your business is registered, you can register all the agricultural and non-agricultural land parcels you want to include in your SFI26 application. These will then show on your digital maps in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nIf your maps are not up to date, it may prevent you from applying for SFI26.
\nBefore you start an SFI26 application, check that your digital maps in the Rural Payments service show:
\n\nIf you need to update your digital maps, use the Rural Payments service to ask the RPA to do this as soon as possible. To find out how to do this, you can:
\n\nPlease be aware that mapping updates may impact any existing ELM revenue agreements you already have.
\n\nYou do not need to check or update the registered hedgerow lengths on your digital maps. These are not used in your SFI application.
\n\nCheck your registered contact details are up to date in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nThe RPA will usually use your registered business email address as the default method to contact you about your SFI26 application and agreement.
\n\nHowever, if you have contacted the RPA because you have difficulty applying online, the RPA will usually contact you by post instead. This means you need to check your registered business postal address.
\n\nRead the guidance on how to check and update your registered contact details in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nYou need to have the correct permission to apply for an SFI26 agreement for your business (SBI). To check this:
\n\nYou need to have one of the following permissions:
\n\nIf you do not have one of these permissions, you need to ask someone with ‘Business Details: Full’ permission to give you the correct permission.
\n\nIf you want someone else to apply on your behalf, such as an agent, you need to:
\n\nRead the guidance on how to give or update permissions in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nYou can apply for an SFI26 agreement online in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nFrom your ‘Business overview’ screen:
\n\nTo help you through the application process:
\n\nIf you have difficulty applying online, call the RPA for help on 03000 200 301 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, except bank holidays).
\n\nYou cannot amend your SFI26 application once you’ve submitted it.
\n\nFunding is not guaranteed even if an SFI26 application has been submitted and is eligible.
\n\nEach farm business, as identified by its SBI, can only have one SFI26 agreement. This applies across Windows 1 and 2.
\n\nThis means that, once you’ve entered an SFI26 agreement, you cannot start another SFI26 application.
\n\nYou can only start another SFI26 application (if applications are still open) if you:
\n\nHowever, this is at your own risk, as SFI26 applications may close before you have submitted your new application.
\n\nYou can only apply for a maximum SFI26 agreement value of £100,000 per agreement year.
\n\nThe SFI26 application service will prevent you from submitting an application which exceeds this £100,000 limit.
\n\nWhen the RPA processes your submitted SFI26 application, the annual agreement value may be reduced. For example, if you’ve applied for land or features, such as hedgerows, which are not eligible.
\n\nYou can save your SFI26 application and come back to it later. If you do not submit it, or SFI26 applications close, we reserve the right to delete it.
\n\nThe RPA will offer SFI26 agreements in the Rural Payments service.
\n\nThe RPA will tell you when your SFI26 agreement offer is ready for you to check. You can either accept or reject it.
\n\nWe reserve the right to:
\n\nYou will only be offered an SFI26 agreement if your application is eligible, and sufficient budget remains in the relevant application window to fund it.
\n\nIf you reject your SFI26 agreement offer, you can start another SFI26 application (if applications are still open). However, this is at your own risk, as SFI26 applications may close before you have submitted your new application.
\n\nThe RPA will not offer you an SFI26 agreement which includes SSSI land until you have given notice to Natural England to get SSSI consent.
\n\nIf you accept your agreement offer, your SFI26 agreement can start before you receive SSSI consent from Natural England. However, you must not do your selected SFI actions on SSSI land until you receive SSSI consent. Read section 10.1 ‘SSSI consent’ for more information.
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nAn SFI26 agreement is a legally binding agreement between you and Defra. It consists of:
\n\nWhen you enter an SFI26 agreement, you’re agreeing to:
\n\nNote: This will be the version published on GOV.UK when your SFI26 agreement started, unless the RPA offers you an updated SFI26 agreement. Read section 14.6 ‘When the RPA may change your SFI26 agreement’ for more information.
\n\nYou’re also agreeing to obtain, maintain and comply with any regulatory consents which are required:
\n\nRead section 10 ‘Get any regulatory consents before you do your SFI actions’ for more information.
\n\nYou must comply with all relevant law that applies to you and your land when following your SFI26 agreement’s obligations. Read the guidance on ‘Rules for farmers and land managers’ for more information.
\n\nIf any statutory legal requirements conflict with your SFI26 agreement’s obligations, you must comply with the law.
\n\nYou must comply with your SFI26 agreement from its start date until its end date (unless it’s ended early). This is called the ‘agreement period’.
\n\nThe agreement period will be 3 years if all your SFI actions have a 3-year duration. If you only apply for organic conversion SFI actions, your agreement’s duration may be shorter (usually up to 2 years).
\n\nUsually, your SFI26 agreement will automatically start on the first day of the calendar month after you accept your agreement offer. You cannot select a different start date.
\n\nYour SFI26 agreement will have a delayed start date if you’re subject to the new Window 2 SAE functionality for eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements. Read section 3.8.3 ‘SFI26 agreement start dates for farmers with eligible expiring ELM revenue agreements’ for more information.
\n\nThe start and end dates for your SFI26 agreement are shown in your agreement document (which you can view in the Rural Payments service).
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nBefore you do your selected SFI actions, you must get any relevant regulatory consents (including permits, permissions and licences) required by law. Your SFI26 agreement does not replace the need for regulatory consents.
\n\nIt’s your responsibility to check if you need to get regulatory consents to lawfully carry out the activities to complete your SFI actions.
\n\nAn SSSI is a statutory conservation designation made by Natural England to protect sites that support characteristic, rare and endangered species, habitats and natural features. You can check if your land is in an SSSI on the MAGIC website.
\n\nIf SSSI land is eligible for an SFI action, it sets out that you must:
\n\nIf you already have SSSI consent, you do not need to get consent again if the existing SSSI consent applies to:
\n\nRead Annex C: SSSI consent for SFI actions on moorland (UPL1 to UPL10) and low input grassland (CLIG3) to find out:
\n\nA ‘scheduled monument’ is a monument which has been scheduled for its national historical or archaeological interest. This means it’s protected by law against:
\n\nIf land with historic or archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) is eligible for an SFI action, the action sets out that you must request an SFI HEFER from Historic England before you do the action on this land. Read section 5.4 ‘Land with historic or archaeological features’ for more information.
\n\nYour SFI HEFER identifies any scheduled monuments on your land. Before you do your SFI actions on land that’s a scheduled monument, you must get:
\n\nFor guidance on activities which may affect scheduled monuments, read Historic England’s ‘Scheduled monuments – a guide for owners and occupiers’.
\n\nYou may also need to get other regulatory consents, depending on what activities you’ll do to complete your selected SFI actions.
\n\nIf a regulatory consent is required, you must get it before you do the relevant SFI actions. The following table lists some examples.
\n\n| Activities you’ll do to complete your SFI actions | \nRegulatory consent you may need | \nWho to contact | \n
|---|---|---|
| Activities which change how you use your land from farming to something else | \nYou may need to get planning permission\n | \nContact your local planning authority or national park authority\n | \n
| Activities on land or buildings designated as a conservation area\n | \nYou may need to get planning permission\n | \nContact your local planning authority or national park authority\n | \n
| Activities on a listed building | \nYou may need to get planning permission and listed building consent\n | \nContact your local planning authority or national park authority\n | \n
| Activities which may disturb or affect protected wildlife species or disturb their habitats (for example, cleaning out a pond) | \nYou may need to get an ‘individual’ wildlife licence (if the activities are not covered by a ‘general’ or ‘class’ wildlife licence) | \nContact Natural England\n | \n
| Work on specific trees, groups of trees or woodland protected by a tree preservation order (TPO) | \nYou may need to get consent for works on trees protected by a TPO\n | \nContact your local planning authority or national park authority\n | \n
| Work on trees in a conservation area | \nYou may need to give notification of proposed works to trees in conservation areas\n | \nContact your local planning authority or national park authority\n | \n
| Removal of trees or woodland | \nYou may need to get a felling licence\n | \nContact the Forestry Commission\n | \n
| Conversion of agricultural land to woodland | \nYou may need a forestry EIA\n | \nContact the Forestry Commission\n | \n
| Removal of woodland cover to convert land to agricultural use | \nYou may need a forestry EIA\n | \nContact the Forestry Commission\n | \n
| Work on or near a ‘main river’\n | \nYou may need a flood risk activity permit\n | \nContact the Environment Agency\n | \n
| Work on or near an ‘ordinary watercourse’ (such as small rivers, streams and ditches) | \nYou may need ordinary watercourse consent | \nContact your local council or internal drainage board\n | \n
| Increase agricultural productivity of 2ha or more ‘uncultivated land’ or ‘semi-natural areas’ | \nYou may need a ‘screening decision’ under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations\n | \nContact Natural England\n | \n
| Add, remove, move or change the nature of a field boundary that’s 4km long | \nYou may need a ‘screening decision’ under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations\n | \nContact Natural England\n | \n
This section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nYour SFI agreement document (which you can view in the Rural Payments service) sets out:
\n\nYour SFI26 agreement’s total annual payment is paid in quarterly instalments.
\n\nThe first instalment will usually be paid to you around the middle of the fourth month after your SFI26 agreement’s start date. It may be paid later.
\n\nEach year of your SFI26 agreement, you must submit an annual declaration before you’re paid the fourth instalment. Read section 12.1 ‘Confirm you’re complying with your agreement’ for more information.
\n\nYou’ll be paid by an automated BACS transfer. You do not have to claim your SFI26 agreement’s payments.
\n\nYour SFI26 agreement’s total annual payment is based on what you’ve entered into your selected SFI actions (in hectares, metres or the number of features (such as ponds), as relevant).
\n\nYou will not be paid:
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nEach year of your SFI26 agreement, you must confirm that you’ve complied, or expect to have complied, with your SFI agreement’s obligations for the relevant year. This is called an ‘annual declaration’.
\n\nYou must submit your annual declaration by the date specified by the RPA (the ‘due date’). This will be within the last 2 months of the relevant agreement year.
\n\nThe RPA will tell you when your annual declaration is available for you to complete in the Rural Payments service. They will use your registered business details to do this, so check these details are up to date. Read section 7.3 ‘Check your registered contact details are up to date’ for more information.
\n\nIf you do not submit your annual declaration by the due date, the RPA may:
\n\nIf you have not been able to comply with your SFI26 agreement’s obligations for the relevant agreement year, you cannot submit your annual declaration. Instead, you must tell the RPA what’s happened in writing as soon as possible. Read section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply with your agreement’.
\n\nAfter you’ve submitted your annual declaration, you must submit a rotational actions declaration if your SFI26 agreement includes rotational SFI actions. Read section 4.3 ‘Rotational SFI actions’ for more information.
\n\nSomething may happen within or outside your control which might reasonably be expected to affect your ability to comply with your SFI26 agreement’s obligations. This is called a ‘change of circumstances’.
\n\nA change of circumstances includes something that may affect:
\n\nYou must tell the RPA about a change of circumstances in writing as soon as possible. Preferably, this should be within 8 weeks of you being able to do so.
\n\nYou can email or write to the RPA. Make sure you include the following information:
\n\nThe RPA will look at each change of circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Depending on what’s happened, they may take one or more of the following actions:
\n\nThe RPA will write to you within a reasonable period to:
\n\nIf you do not agree with the RPA’s decision, you can use the RPA’s complaints procedure to ask for it to be reconsidered. You must do this within 60 calendar days of the date the RPA notifies you of their decision.
\n\nThe RPA will:
\n\nIf you do not agree with the outcome of the RPA’s reconsideration, you can appeal it within 60 days of the date the RPA notifies you of the outcome. You can only do this if you believe the outcome:
\n\nThe RPA will write to you to confirm the outcome of your appeal within a reasonable period, explaining the reasons. This will be the RPA’s final determination.
\n\nDuring your SFI26 agreement’s duration, the RPA may check that:
\n\nIf you are unable to comply with your SFI26 agreement, the RPA will support and advise you to help you resolve the issue, where possible.
\n\nThe RPA may use a combination of the following approaches to check you’re complying with your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nThe RPA may select your farm or land for a site visit. If they do, you must:
\n\nThe RPA will try to agree a suitable date and time with you for the site visit.
\n\nIf it’s not possible to agree a suitable date and time, the RPA will give you at least 48 hours’ notice before the site visit. They will do this in writing (by email or post) to:
\n\nThe RPA may not give you any advance notice of a site visit if they reasonably suspect that you’ve committed:
\n\nThe RPA uses aerial photography and satellite imagery to carry out remote monitoring of the land that’s in your SFI agreement. This can help to reduce the need for physical site visits.
\n\nRemote monitoring can be used to check land cover, vegetation and soil erosion risk, so the RPA can:
\n\nThe RPA carries out desk-based administrative checks to make sure you’re meeting your SFI agreement’s obligations. For example, checking supporting evidence you’ve been asked to provide.
\n\nYou must keep evidence to show you’ve complied with your SFI26 agreement’s obligations. This includes any evidence required by your selected SFI actions, such as field operations and associated invoices.
\n\nYou must keep this evidence for at least 7 years from your SFI26 agreement’s end date, or its termination date if that’s earlier.
\n\nThe RPA may ask you to provide this supporting evidence when they’re checking you’re complying with your SFI26 agreement’s obligations. For example, evidence that you have management control of the land in your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nYou must provide this evidence if the RPA asks for it.
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nWhen the RPA checks if you’re complying with your SFI26 agreement, they may reasonably suspect that you have breached your agreement.
\n\nThe RPA will support and advise you to help you resolve the issue, where possible.
\n\nYou could breach your SFI26 agreement if, for example, you have:
\n\nThis includes certain breaches caused by your employees or agents acting on your behalf.
\n\nIf the RPA reasonably suspects that you’ve breached your SFI26 agreement, they will:
\n\nThe RPA may also ask you to provide more information or evidence.
\n\nOnce the RPA has completed their investigation, they’ll write to you within a reasonable period to tell you:
\n\nThe RPA will consider your response before making a formal decision (known as a ‘determination’) about whether you have breached your SFI agreement.
\n\nIf the RPA’s determination is that you’ve breached your SFI26 agreement, they will:
\n\nIf you do not agree with the RPA’s determination that there’s been a breach, you can use the RPA’s complaints procedure to ask for it to be reconsidered. You must do this within 60 calendar days of the date the RPA notifies you of their determination.
\n\nThe RPA will:
\n\nIf you do not agree with the outcome of the RPA’s reconsideration, you can appeal it within 60 days of the date the RPA notifies you of the outcome. You can only do this if you consider the outcome of the reconsideration:
\n\nThe RPA will write to you to confirm the outcome of your appeal within a reasonable period, explaining the reasons. This will be the RPA’s final determination.
\n\nThere are no set actions that the RPA will take for particular breaches of your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nTo decide what action to take, the RPA will assess the individual circumstances of your case, including factors such as:
\n\nThe RPA may decide that no action is needed because:
\n\nIf the RPA decides action is needed, they may:
\n\nThe RPA may decide that there’s been a serious breach because it:
\n\nIf there’s been a serious breach, the RPA may:
\n\nWhere there is evidence of fraud or illegality, the RPA will follow the relevant legal process.
\n\nThere may be circumstances (a ‘good reason’) where you breach your SFI agreement because of events outside of your control.
\n\nGood reasons for a breach include, but are not limited to:
\n\nThe RPA will also take ‘good reasons’ into account when they investigate a suspected breach of your agreement. Read section 13.2 ‘If the RPA suspects there may have been a breach’ for more information.
\n\nIf you knew about the issue when you entered your SFI26 agreement, it’s unlikely the RPA will consider it to be a ‘good reason’ for a breach.
\n\nIf there’s a ‘good reason’ for the breach of your SFI26 agreement, you (or someone authorised to act on your behalf) must email or write to the RPA to explain this.
\n\nYou must email or write to the RPA immediately if your ‘good reason’ is for a breach which has happened because you:
\n\nIn all other cases, you must email or write to the RPA within 8 weeks from the date that either:
\n\nMake sure you include the following information when you email or write to the RPA:
\n\nThe RPA will consider your individual circumstances to decide:
\n\nThis section includes scheme rules which apply to SFI26 agreements.
\nOnce you’ve entered your SFI26 agreement, there are only certain changes that you or the RPA can make to it during the ‘agreement period’ (usually 3 years).
\n\nYou cannot usually add SFI actions or land to your SFI26 agreement.
\n\nThe only exception to this is if your SFI26 agreement includes rotational SFI actions. Read section 4.3 ‘Rotational SFI actions’ for more information.
\n\nThe RPA will not usually allow you to remove SFI actions from your SFI26 agreement, unless they agree there’s been a ‘change of circumstances’.
\n\nRead section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply with your agreement’ for more information.
\n\nThe RPA will not usually allow you to remove land from your SFI26 agreement, unless either:
\n\nThe RPA will not usually allow you to end your SFI26 agreement early, unless either:
\n\nIf you sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or part of your agreement land to someone else during the agreement period:
\n\nYou may have to repay some, or all, the payments you’ve already received during the agreement year in which you transfer the land if you have not:
\n\nThe RPA will not usually change your SFI26 agreement during its agreement period.
\n\nHowever, they can change your agreement if:
\n\nThey can also:
\n\nThe following information explains each of these changes.
\n\nThe RPA may offer you an updated SFI26 agreement if they make changes to, for example:
\n\nIf the RPA offer you an updated agreement with a change which they consider is beneficial to you (such as an increased payment rate):
\n\nIf the RPA offer you an updated agreement with a change which is not beneficial to you:
\n\nThe RPA may have to change your SFI26 agreement in response to ‘exceptional circumstances’, such as:
\n\nIf this happens:
\n\nIn this case, your agreement can be ended early by:
\n\nIn both these cases, you’ll be able to keep the SFI payments already paid to you, provided you are not in breach of the agreement.
\n\nThe RPA may identify factors (such as adverse weather conditions) which may temporarily:
\n\nIf this happens, the RPA may make a temporary adjustment to the SFI actions in your SFI26 agreement. You can choose whether to comply with the temporary adjustment.
\n\nThe RPA will publish details of any temporary adjustment to the SFI actions on GOV.UK, giving you as much notice as possible. These details will include:
\n\nThe RPA may end your SFI26 agreement immediately if:
\n\nIn addition, the RPA may end your agreement early (before its end date) at any time by giving you at least 6 months’ written notice.
\n\nIf the RPA ends your agreement:
\n\nIf you have a general question about SFI, contact RPA by:
\n\nIf you need to raise a specific query about your application, follow the guidance on how to contact RPA about SFI.
\n\nThe following information includes a summary of the SFI actions which are currently available.
\n\nMost SFI26 actions have a 3-year duration, apart from some organic conversion actions which have a shorter duration. This is identified in ‘SFI actions for organic land’.
\n\n| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| AGF1 | \nMaintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land | \n£248 per hectare | \n
| AGF2 | \nMaintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land | \n£385 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CHRW2 | \nManage hedgerows | \n£13 per 100m for one side | \n
| BND1 | \nMaintain dry stone walls | \n£27 per 100m for both sides | \n
| BND2 | \nMaintain earth banks or stone-faced hedgebanks | \n£11 per 100m for one side | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CAHL4 | \n4m to 12m grass buffer strip on arable and horticultural land | \n£515 per hectare | \n
| CIGL3 | \n4m to 12m grass buffer strip on improved grassland | \n£235 per hectare | \n
| BFS1 | \n12m to 24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land | \n£707 per hectare | \n
| BFS6 | \n6m to 12m habitat strip next to watercourses | \n£742 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CAHL1 | \nPollen and nectar flower mix | \n£739 per hectare | \n
| CAHL2 | \nWinter bird food on arable and horticultural land | \n£648 per hectare | \n
| CAHL3 | \nGrassy field corners or blocks | \n£590 per hectare | \n
| AHW2 | \nSupplementary winter bird food | \n£732 per tonne (maximum 1 tonne for every 2 hectares of CAHL2) | \n
| AHW3 | \nBeetle banks | \n£764 per hectare | \n
| AHW4 | \nSkylark plots | \n£11 per plot (minimum 2 plots) | \n
| AHW5 | \nNesting plots for lapwing | \n£765 per hectare | \n
| AHW6 | \nBasic overwinter stubble | \n£58 per hectare | \n
| AHW7 | \nEnhanced overwinter stubble | \n£589 per hectare | \n
| AHW8 | \nWhole crop spring cereals and overwinter stubble | \n£596 per hectare | \n
| AHW9 | \nUnharvested cereal headland | \n£1,072 per hectare | \n
| AHW10 | \nLow input harvested cereal crop | \n£354 per hectare | \n
| AHW11 | \nCultivated areas for arable plants | \n£660 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CIGL1 | \nTake grassland field corners or blocks out of management | \n£333 per hectare | \n
| CIGL2 | \nWinter bird food on improved grassland | \n£515 per hectare | \n
| CLIG3 | \nManage grassland with very low nutrient inputs | \n£151 per hectare | \n
| GRH7 | \nSupplement: Haymaking | \n£157 per hectare | \n
| GRH8 | \nSupplement: Haymaking (late cut) | \n£187 per hectare | \n
| GRH10 | \nSupplement: Lenient grazing | \n£28 per hectare | \n
| GRH12 | \nManage rough grassland for upland breeding waders (instead of GRH1: Manage rough grazing for birds which was available in the SFI24 offer) | \n£203 per hectare | \n
| SCR1 | \nCreate scrub and open habitat mosaics | \n£588 per hectare | \n
| SCR2 | \nManage scrub and open habitat mosaics | \n£350 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| HEF1 | \nMaintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings | \n£5 per square metre | \n
| HEF6 | \nManage historic and archaeological features on grassland | \n£55 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CIPM2 | \nFlower-rich grass margins, blocks or in-field strips | \n£798 per hectare | \n
| CIPM3 | \nCompanion crop on arable and horticultural land | \n£55 per hectare | \n
| CIPM4 | \nNo use of insecticide on arable crops and permanent crops | \n£45 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| UPL1 | \nModerate livestock grazing on moorland | \n£35 per hectare | \n
| UPL2 | \nLow livestock grazing on moorland | \n£89 per hectare | \n
| UPL3 | \nLimited livestock grazing on moorland | \n£111 per hectare | \n
| UPL5 | \nSupplement: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (minimum 70% GLU) | \n£18 per hectare | \n
| UPL6 | \nSupplement: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland (100% GLU) | \n£23 per hectare | \n
| UPL8 | \nShepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for at least 4 months) | \n£74 per hectare | \n
| UPL10 | \nShepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for at least 8 months) | \n£102 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CNUM2 | \nLegumes on improved grassland | \n£102 per hectare | \n
| CNUM3 | \nLegume fallow | \n£532 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \nAction’s duration | \n
|---|---|---|---|
| OFC1 | \nOrganic conversion – improved permanent grassland | \n£187 per hectare | \n1 year (maximum of 2 consecutive years) | \n
| OFC2 | \nOrganic conversion – unimproved permanent grassland | \n£96 per hectare | \n1 year (maximum of 2 consecutive years) | \n
| OFC3 | \nOrganic conversion – rotational land | \n£298 per hectare | \n1 year (maximum of 2 consecutive years) | \n
| OFC4 | \nOrganic conversion – horticultural land | \n£874 per hectare | \n1 year (maximum of 2 consecutive years) | \n
| OFC5 | \nOrganic conversion – top fruit | \n£1,920 per hectare | \n1 year (maximum of 3 consecutive years) | \n
| OFM1 | \nOrganic land management – improved permanent grassland | \n£20 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| OFM2 | \nOrganic land management – unimproved permanent grassland | \n£41 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| OFM3 | \nOrganic land management – enclosed rough grazing | \n£97 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| OFM4 | \nOrganic land management – rotational land | \n£132 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| OFM5 | \nOrganic land management – horticultural land | \n£707 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| OFM6 | \nOrganic land management – top fruit | \n£1,920 per hectare | \n3 years | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| PRF1 | \nVariable rate application of nutrients | \n£27 per hectare | \n
| PRF2 | \nCamera or remote sensor guided herbicide spraying | \n£43 per hectare | \n
| PRF4 | \nMechanical robotic weeding | \n£150 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| CSAM2 | \nMulti-species winter cover crop | \n£129 per hectare | \n
| CSAM3 | \nHerbal leys | \n£224 per hectare | \n
| SOH1 | \nNo-till farming | \n£73 per hectare | \n
| SOH3 | \nMulti-species summer-sown cover crop | \n£163 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| SPM3 | \nSupplement: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats (more than 80%) | \n£146 per hectare | \n
| SPM5 | \nSupplement: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats (more than 80%) | \n£11 per hectare | \n
| Code | \nAction | \nAnnual payment | \n
|---|---|---|
| WBD1 | \nManage ponds | \n£257 per pond (maximum of 3 ponds per hectare) | \n
| WBD2 | \nManage ditches | \n£4 per 100m for both sides | \n
| WBD3 | \nIn-field grass strips | \n£765 per hectare | \n
| WBD4 | \nArable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input | \n£489 per hectare | \n
| WBD6 | \nRemove livestock from intensive grassland during the autumn and winter (outside SDAs) | \n£115 per hectare | \n
| WBD7 | \nRemove livestock from grassland during the autumn and winter (SDAs) | \n£115 per hectare | \n
Tables B1 and B2 explain the:
\n\nRead section 5.1.2 ‘Eligible land covers and compatible land uses’ for more information.
\n\n| Registered agricultural land covers | \nCompatible land use codes | \n
|---|---|
| Arable land | \nLand use codes for arable crops\n | \n
| Arable land | \nLand use codes for leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops\n | \n
| Arable land | \nTG01 (temporary grassland) | \n
| Arable land | \nFA01 (fallow) | \n
| Permanent grassland | \nPG01 | \n
| Permanent crops | \nLand use codes for permanent crops\n | \n
| Registered non-agricultural land covers | \nCompatible land use codes | \n
|---|---|
| Airstrip or airports | \nMT05 | \n
| Bog | \nIW07 | \n
| Cliffs | \nCF01 | \n
| Drain, ditch, dyke | \nWF01 | \n
| Drain, ditch, dyke on a boundary | \nIW11 | \n
| Farm building | \nAB01 | \n
| Farmyards | \nAB09 | \n
| Fen marsh and swamp | \nIW06 | \n
| Gallop | \nNT01 | \n
| General utility | \nUT06 | \n
| Glasshouse | \nAB06 | \n
| Golf course | \nRL04 | \n
| Hard standing | \nHS01 | \n
| Heath land and bracken – ungrazeable | \nHE02 | \n
| Heap | \nHE03 | \n
| Intertidal habitats | \nMW04 | \n
| Metalled track | \nMT01 | \n
| Mineral extraction site | \nMS04 | \n
| Non-agricultural area | \nNA02 | \n
| Non-utilised Bank | \nPL01 | \n
| Notional – rock | \nNF01 | \n
| Notional - bracken | \nNF02 | \n
| Notional - scrub | \nNF03 | \n
| Notional - trees | \nNF04 | \n
| Notional - water | \nNF05 | \n
| Notional – natural | \nNF06 | \n
| Notional - manmade | \nNF07 | \n
| Notional - mixed | \nNF08 | \n
| Peat production | \nCM01 | \n
| Pond | \nWF03 | \n
| Railway | \nMT04 | \n
| Real estate services | \nES01 | \n
| Reed beds | \nMW03 | \n
| Residential gardens | \nWO17 | \n
| Residential dwelling, house | \nNR01 | \n
| River/Stream on a boundary | \nIW01 | \n
| Rivers and Streams type 2 | \nIW02 | \n
| Rivers and Streams type 3 | \nIW03 | \n
| Roads | \nMT03 | \n
| Salt marsh – ungrazeable | \nMW01 | \n
| Sand dunes | \nCF03 | \n
| Saline habitats | \nMW05 | \n
| Scree | \nRO02 | \n
| Scrub – ungrazeable | \nWO25 | \n
| Shelter on bare soil | \nAB03 | \n
| Shingle | \nIW05 | \n
| Solar panels | \nUT01 | \n
| Sports and recreation | \nRL03 | \n
| Storage area | \nSA02 | \n
| Structure | \nST05 | \n
| Tidal areas | \nMW02 | \n
| Track – natural surface | \nNT03 | \n
| Turf production | \nCM02 | \n
| Uncropped | \nPL02 | \n
| Vegetated shingle | \nCF02 | \n
| Water treatment works | \nUT07 | \n
| Woodland | \nWO12 | \n
Before you apply for certain SFI actions for moorland (UPL1 to UPL10) or CLIG3 (Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs) on SSSI land, it’s advisable that you either:
\n\nThis will allow you to:
\n\nWhen you give notice to Natural England to get SSSI consent you need to provide detailed information on:
\n\nFor the SFI actions for moorland, the information you provide in your SSSI consent notice form needs to include:
\n\nFor CLIG3, the information you provide in your SSSI consent notice form needs to include (where relevant):
\n\nIf you want to change your stocking levels or management activities during the relevant SFI action’s 3-year duration, you need to check if you’re required to get additional SSSI consent.
\n\nIf additional SSSI consent is:
\n\n