Is failing to prepare, preparing to fail – What lessons can be learnt from recent scheme closures?
The unexpected closure of the SFI scheme, Capital Grants 2024 and Capital Grants 2025, have done little to quell ever decreasing faith in the Governments approach to agri-environmental scheme funding; the latter closing with limited warning, having been open for just 4 weeks.
Not only does this uncertainty make it challenging for rural businesses to plan effectively, but—as highlighted by the comparatively short application window for the Capital Grants 2025 —it can also render the scheme inaccessible to those requiring significant pre-application preparation or prior endorsement from organisations such as Catchment Sensitive Farming
However, as the adage runs “no amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that is going to happen” and therefore, it is perhaps most useful to ask what lessons can be learnt from these early closures and what practical steps can be taken to ensure applicants are in the best possible position, as and when schemes reopen?
1. Prepare a draft application, ready for final adjustment as and when the new scheme rules are announced;
2. Ensure your farming business and land are registered with the RPA and that all information recorded on the Rural Land Register is up to date; and
3. If possible, seek preliminary endorsement for relevant actions or items.
For advice on agri-environmental schemes, past, present or future, contact Stags Professional Services on 01823 653424 to be put in touch with your local professional.
The unexpected closure of the SFI scheme, Capital Grants 2024 and Capital Grants 2025, have done little to quell ever decreasing faith in the Governments approach to agri-environmental scheme funding; the latter closing with limited warning, having been open for just 4 weeks.
