News

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the fall out from the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), with the Farming Minister telling MPs that farmers were not given notice on closure as it would have led to a 'further spike in applications'. The National Trust says Defra's decision to close SFI to new applications will leave farmers facing a 'four month funding gap'. And she takes a look at the NFU's farmer confidence survey which is reportedly at an 'all time low'

A guide to next steps for farmers following Defra's decision to stop further scheme applications

In FGs Celebrating Rural Communities section, we we share news from the heart of British rural life

Environmental groups back farmers and join condemnation of Government announcement

Union says SFI bombshell will push figure even further

Despite the Government's own website stating that it would give farmers six week notice before the closure of SFI, the Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said it was not possible, as it would have led to a ‘further spike in applications'

There was a strong entry of top-quality pedigree and commercial cattle at the Northern Ireland Limousin Young Breeders’ Club’s Rising Stars Calf Show, held at Ballymena Livestock Market.

Mr Dunn said: "Out of the £2.4 billion of budget allocated for the full panoply of schemes under the Agricultural Transition Plan, we need to know how much has been allocated to each element"