Speaking at the CLA conference today (November 20), Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds said the new scheme will be an evolution not a revolution and details will be published well ahead of introduction.
But she did not say when that would be.
Sustainable Farming Incentive
When pushed by new CLA president Gavin Lane, Ms Reynolds said the new SFI offer will be out in the first half of next year.
She said she has read Baroness Minette Batters' report and will give their high level response by Christmas. And take key aspects to increase profitability.
"We are working with the CLA and others to get the next iteration right. But the trade off is time."
She also told the CLA conference that farmers and rural businesses are ‘fundamental' to growing the economy today (November 20), with rural Britain contributing £259 billion to the economy and supporting over half a million businesses.
Ms Reynolds said: "This Government sees the rural economy as fundamental to our growth mission. When rural Britain succeeds, the whole country succeeds.
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"From food production to protecting nature, we are acting on our ambitions for a countryside where businesses flourish, good jobs are created, and our communities are strengthened."
Defra
She also highlighted efforts to unlock new markets for British produce with India, China and the USA, tackle contractual unfairness in supply chains, committing nearly £250 million in farming grants and appointing Alan Laidlaw as the new Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector.
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In a separate speech to the Food and Drink Federation, Ms Reynolds focused on driving down food costs, including cutting red tape and keeping tariffs down.
Two major initiatives were announced, with Defra, DBT and HMT to launch a process inviting industry to apply for import tariffs to be suspended to cut costs and to keep the prices of key ingredients from large increases.
A new Food Inflation Gateway will assess the impact of government regulations on food businesses and their impact on food prices.
