SFI26: what are my options for land that will no longer be funded because of the £100,000 cap?
- Tim Furbank
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
If SFI26's £100,000 annual cap means your habitat is no longer funded, you still have realistic options: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, an alternative land use such as BNG, renewables or woodland, or returning the land to production.
Sadly the imposition of a monetary cap, rather than a percentage of land cap, will have huge negative effects on the provision of wildlife habitats across England. However, before you go and plough out areas of now unfunded habitat to bring back into agricultural production, please consider why that land was taken out of production in the first place? The chances are it was ‘marginal’ land i.e. it was difficult to produce a positive margin and in some years it would actually cost you to grow a crop.
So – what are your options, given the government will no longer fund the habitat you have created and managed.
Try and get into Higher Tier. If you have species-rich grass, historic features, wet grassland or peat then look at submitting an expression of interest form and speak to your NE advisor.
Look at alternative land uses e.g.
BNG
30 year commitment
Long process and may not be demand for your habitat
Renewables
Long-term commitment
Localised demand
Woodland
Long-term commitment
Significant payments available under EWCO (up to £10,200/ha for establishment costs plus potential additional £12,700/ha depending on location and design)
15 years of maintenance payments (£400/ha for 15 years)
Tax-free timber income from year 18
Significant tax-free timber income from year 40
Potential to sequester and sell carbon through the Woodland Carbon Code
If you would like to discuss any of the above or need help sorting out what you are going to do with your SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) application when the window opens in September, then please call one of our team at the office on 01480 890686 or email info@oakbankgc.co.uk
