Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an estimate of the number of farms that did not apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive before its closure.

On 31st December 2024, SFI23 agreements covered 39% of the utilised agricultural area (UAA) of England, and SFI expanded offer agreements a further 4%. Approximately 64% of the UAA of England was under an agri-environment scheme.

Approximately 30% of the 100,000 active farm businesses registered with the RPA had SFI agreements as of the 1st of January 2025. Approximately 50% of farm businesses have an agri-environment agreement.