UK Government Pauses Sustainable Farming Incentive, Drawing Widespread Criticism

Farmers and rural groups express outrage over the abrupt halt to the post-Brexit payment scheme, citing financial uncertainty and environmental setbacks.

The UK government has paused new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), a key post-Brexit scheme supporting environmentally friendly farming practices.
Farmers and rural organizations, including the National Farmers' Union, have condemned the decision as a betrayal, citing the lack of warning and consultation before the announcement.
The government defended the move, stating that the SFI budget had been fully allocated and promising a revised scheme after the upcoming Spending Review.
Critics argue that the pause leaves many farmers without financial support, jeopardizing both livelihoods and environmental progress made under the program.
The decision follows previous controversies over policies affecting farmers, including inheritance tax changes, further straining trust between the agricultural community and the government.