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Kent farmer criticises government's fast-closing farm funding scheme
Overview
A Kent farmer has compared applying for government environmental farming grants to a lottery after a funding scheme closed in under six hours. George Holdstock missed out on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) funding for his environmental plans, arguing that the first-come, first-served application process is unfair and creates uncertainty. Farming Minister Stephen Morgan acknowledged the disappointment and stated that the government is exploring alternatives for future application processes.
Key points
- Kent farmer George Holdstock said applying for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) scheme felt like a lottery, comparing it unfavourably to getting Glastonbury tickets.
- The government funding scheme, which supports environmentally friendly land management, closed after five hours and 48 minutes with £253m allocated.
- Holdstock hoped the funding would support tree planting, leaving grassland for birds, and trialling direct drilling.
- Anthony Curwen of the Nature Friendly Farming Network warned that funding interruptions risk undermining environmental progress and government targets.
- Farming Minister Stephen Morgan stated that the government capped applications at £100,000 to reach more farmers and is exploring alternatives to the first-come, first-served system for SFI27.