Farmers Weekly Podcast Ep 324: SFI26 funding gone – what now?
© GNP Defra is under intense pressure after the £233m budget for the 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive was exhausted just five hours and 48 minutes after applications opened.
In this emergency episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, farmers describe technical problems that prevented them from submitting complete applications despite weeks of preparation – leaving some facing holes of more than £50,000 in their farm budgets.
See also: £233m of SFI26 money all spent within matter of hours
Farm business consultant James Bush explains what went wrong, what farmers should do next and why Defra and the Rural Payments Agency need urgently to clarify what happens to those who missed out.
Podcast hosts Johan Tasker, Hugh Broom and Louise Impey discuss the wider fallout – including fears that farmers could abandon environmental measures if funding remains unavailable.
This emergency episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is edited and produced by Johann Tasker.
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