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The Farming Minister, Stephen Morgan said lessons will be learnt from this year to help shape SFI27

President Ian Rickman says farmers still feel barriers to Sustainable Farming Scheme remain

Seeking to reverse the decline in young farmers, the Liberal Democrats have proposed a scheme providing placements for new entrants within a broader £1bn plan to improve food security

Scottish Conservative Leader Russell Findlay is due to pledge multi-annual funding as a key commitment to farmers in the party's election manifesto, placing pressure on Scottish First Minister John Swinney to make a similar commitment to the sector

The NFU has asked the Treasury for support in five key areas including a UK-wide £5.6 billion annual budget, a cross-government biosecurity plan, and a review on the clawback solution for changes to Inheritance Tax

Farmer Richard Watts said: "Rising costs in wages, National Insurance, and energy are putting immense pressure on small and family-run farms"

It has been rumoured Defra's budget could be on the ‘chopping block' in the Comprehensive Spending Review

The Tenant ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Association has asked Defra to provide details of the number of 'in-flight' SFI applications on the RPA system before the scheme was closed

The Tenant ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Association said the Government's decision to make area-based payments without considering evidenced claims has resulted in more severely affected farmers losing out on compensation 'with no means of recourse'

Wildfarmed's Andy Cato writes on Defra's SFI24 closure, why it is vital that farmers receive support for their efforts in nature and climate recovery, and why nature-rich food production should be seen as the most valuable of investments rather than a subsidy by Government