The British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) has submitted a formal letter to Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State at DEFRA, in response to the unexpected withdrawal of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application process earlier this month.
The letter, authored by BIAC Chair Wendy Jenkins and developed with input from stakeholder representatives Peter Walker FBIAC, David Meredith FBIAC and Simon Ward FBIAC, captures the widespread frustration and concern from members and their clients across England.
Key Concerns Raised
The correspondence outlines the serious consequences of DEFRA’s decision to close the SFI application window without notice, including:
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A significant erosion of trust between farmers and DEFRA.
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Numerous unfinished applications left stranded due to technical issues, illness, or bereavement.
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Disruption to advisory businesses and the rural workforce.
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Environmental opportunities lost due to halted plans and withdrawn actions.
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Strategic and financial harm to clients who had exited other schemes in anticipation of joining SFI.
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Emotional and professional strain on consultants, particularly junior staff, with some facing potential claims for incomplete applications.
Constructive Proposals
BIAC has put forward a set of practical proposals aimed at mitigating the damage and helping DEFRA rebuild credibility. These include:
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Allowing completion of in-progress applications submitted before the 11th March cut-off.
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Prioritising support for applicants affected by exceptional circumstances.
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Supporting clients who had exited existing agreements in good faith.
Looking Ahead
The letter also calls for improvements to future scheme design, stressing the need for:
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Greater policy consistency aligned with farm business planning.
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Clear application limits and transparent funding structures.
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Better communication and early engagement with the advisory sector.
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A shift in focus from application volume to actual delivery outcomes.
A Rare Intervention
BIAC’s decision to issue this letter reflects the scale of the fallout from the SFI closure. As stated by Chair Wendy Jenkins, “It is unusual for BIAC to intervene in political decisions, but the level of disruption and distress experienced by our members and the wider sector required a direct and honest response.”
BIAC remains committed to working collaboratively with DEFRA to ensure future agricultural support schemes are fit for purpose — delivering for the environment, the rural economy, and the people at the heart of both.
For more information or to request a copy of the letter, please contact info@biac.co.uk.