England's £233m sustainable farming scheme depleted within six hours of launch

England’s Sustainable Farming Incentive, a £233 million scheme intended to reward farmers for environmental stewardship, closed just six hours after opening on Tuesday, with the entire budget claimed by 4 pm. The rapid uptake left thousands of farmers unable to submit applications, despite the scheme being their first opportunity since a sudden closure in March 2025. Representatives from The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB called the speed of the drawdown shocking and unprecedented, noting that the first-come-first-served model undermines long-term environmental targets.

Applicants faced delays of up to five hours before receiving help, meaning many could not even attempt to apply before the deadline. The funding shortfall arrives after a harsh season of heat, drought and soaring fertilizer costs linked to the war in Iran, intensifying farmers’ financial strain. Officials warned that missing funding could jeopardise the UK’s legally binding nature commitments, including the 30 % restoration target for 2030. The NFU urged the government to provide a clearer, larger budget for the next round in 2027.