DEFRA have announced the release of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which is Tier 1 of the new Environmental Land Management Scheme, introduced post-BREXIT.
As it stands, agreements will run for a 3 year term, which is different to how BPS is currently handled and more similar to the Countryside Stewardship Agreement. In 2022,
the standards that can be applied for are:
- The Arable & Horticultural Soil Standard – £22/ha for introductory actions, £40 for intermediate actions
- The Improved Grassland Soil Standard – £28/ha for introductory actions, £58 for intermediate actions
- The Moorland & Rough Grazing Standard – £148 fixed per agreement per year, plus additional variable payment rate of £6.45 per hectare for introductory level
They will also pay for an annual health and welfare review for livestock and more standards are predicted to be added over time.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive could be viewed as a direct replacement for the Basic Payment Scheme which is currently being phased out, however, payments will moving forwards be
focused on environmental benefits.