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Regional Whitehaven and Workington · West Cumbria

Local farmers tell Josh MacAlister the SFI scheme needs sorting West Cumbrian farmers tell MP Josh MacAlister farming funding rules need to be fairer

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From cumbriacrack.com
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West Cumbrian farmers tell MP Josh MacAlister farming funding rules need to be fairer
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Farmers round here have told their MP what's wrong with the SFI payments scheme, and he's passed it all on to the Environment Secretary before it changes in 2027.

If you farm in the Whitehaven and Workington area, or your family does, this one's for you.

Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has written to the Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle, after sitting down with local farmers and the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

The big topic was the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the SFI, which pays farmers for doing things that help the environment. They also talked about the other pressures on farms round here. Farmers came up with practical ideas to fix the scheme before it changes in 2027, when the Government plans to ditch the first-come, first-served way of applying for something simpler.

Mr MacAlister said: "I heard some real frustration. The Government has committed to changing the system for next year, including getting rid of the first-come, first-served approach."

He added: "But it's important that those changes are informed by the people who actually work the land."

Dame Angela said: "As we develop SFI27, I want farmers in West Cumbria to know that I'm listening to their views and determined to create a fairer scheme that gives them the confidence to invest in both the long-term future of their businesses and the natural environment."

Catherine Stokes, the NFU's county adviser for Cumbria, said: "There are some real concerns in the farming community about the future of SFI, particularly the need for a fairer application process and greater certainty so farmers can plan ahead and invest in their businesses."

We haven't seen the letter itself, and there's no detail yet on what the new scheme will look like.

What you can do The current SFI guidance is on GOV.UK. If you want your say passed on, get in touch with Mr MacAlister's constituency office or the NFU's Cumbria team.

Farmers met Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister and the NFU to raise frustrations with the Sustainable Farming Incentive. He has written to Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle ahead of changes planned for 2027.

This is for farmers and farming families in the Whitehaven and Workington constituency, and anyone who wants to know how farm support is changing.

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has written to Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle after hosting a roundtable with local farmers and the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

The meeting focused on the Sustainable Farming Incentive, or SFI, which pays farmers for actions that help the environment, along with wider pressures on farm businesses in West Cumbria. Farmers shared practical ideas for improving the scheme before changes planned for 2027, when the Government intends to replace the first-come, first-served application process with a simpler model.

Mr MacAlister said: "I heard some real frustration. The Government has committed to changing the system for next year, including getting rid of the first-come, first-served approach."

He added: "But it's important that those changes are informed by the people who actually work the land."

Dame Angela said: "As we develop SFI27, I want farmers in West Cumbria to know that I'm listening to their views and determined to create a fairer scheme that gives them the confidence to invest in both the long-term future of their businesses and the natural environment."

Catherine Stokes, the NFU's county adviser for Cumbria, said: "There are some real concerns in the farming community about the future of SFI, particularly the need for a fairer application process and greater certainty so farmers can plan ahead and invest in their businesses."

We have not seen the letter itself, and no details of the new scheme have been published yet.

What you can do Current SFI guidance is on GOV.UK. Farmers who want their views passed on can contact Mr MacAlister's constituency office, or speak to the NFU's Cumbria team.