SFI 2026 Update
Date posted: 25 February 2026
DEFRA have finally released some updates for the SFI scheme for 2026.
As predicted, there are a number of changes, and there will be two application windows.
The first application round will open in June 2026 and remain open for around 2 months. This is open to farms under 50 hectares, and farms of any size that do not currently have an environmental land management agreement.
The second application round will open in September 2026 and will be open to all farms that are not eligible for round 1. There will be no fixed closing date.
The key changes for the 2026 scheme include (but are not limited to):
- Each farm business can only have one 2026 SFI agreement
- Farms will no longer be able to increase rotational options at the annual renewal
- AHW1 Bumblebird mix has been removed
- AHW7 Enhanced Overwinter Stubble will be limited to 25% of the total agricultural area
- AHW12 Management of woodland edges on arable land has been removed
- CAHL2 Winter bird food rate will decrease from £853/ha to £648/ha for 2026 agreements
- CHRW1 Assess and record hedgerow condition has been removed as an option
- CHRW3 Maintain or establish hedgerow trees has been removed as an option
- CIPM1 Assess Integrated Pest Management & Produce a plan has been removed as an option
- CNUM1 Nutrient Management Review has been removed as an option
- CNUM3 Legume Fallow rate will decrease from £593/ha to £532/ha for 2026 agreements
- CSAM1 Assess soil and produce soil management plan has been removed as an option
- CSAM3 Herbal Ley rate will decrease from £382/ha to £224/ha for 2026 agreements
