Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed an extra £50 million of government funding for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), saying it will provide important additional support for farmers across Cumbria.
The new funding increases the budget for the next round of SFI from £240 million to £290 million, enabling more farmers to access the scheme when the next window is expected to open in September.
SFI provides payments to farmers for actions that support both productive and sustainable farming, including improving soils, cover cropping, reducing tillage and improving the management of nutrients and water.
The announcement forms part of a wider package of support for farming following exceptionally dry weather across England. As of 15 August, every county in England – including Cumbria – qualifies for additional flexibility in environmental farming schemes because of drought or prolonged dry weather conditions.
The government is also providing up to £15 million for new on-farm reservoirs, alongside measures to make it easier for farmers to access water and to remove unnecessary planning barriers to building water storage.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said:
“Farming is fundamental to Cumbria – to our economy, our communities, our landscape and our food security. But farmers are increasingly having to deal with unpredictable weather and rising pressures on their businesses.
“That’s why this extra £50 million for the Sustainable Farming Incentive is important. It means more farmers will be able to access support and brings the total funding available through the next SFI window to £290 million.
“I know from speaking to farmers across West Cumbria that they want a farming support system which is practical, accessible and recognises the particular challenges of farming in places like ours.
“Alongside greater flexibility for farmers affected by the dry weather and new investment in water storage, this is another step towards giving farmers greater certainty and helping them build resilient businesses for the future.
“I’ll keep working with farmers locally to make sure Cumbria’s voice is heard as these schemes are developed and that our farmers get their fair share of the support available.”
The government said the additional SFI investment will allow more farmers to participate, provide additional income support and encourage farming practices that make businesses more resilient to drought and changing weather conditions.
Josh MacAlister MP 