Watch my question about the Sustainable Farming Incentive
Yesterday in the Commons there was an urgent question on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the scheme that pays farmers to look after nature and the countryside.
This year’s funding round opened at 10am on Tuesday 22 September, and the £233m pot had run out by 3.48pm the same day. I have heard from numerous farmers across South Devon over the past few weeks, sharing their frustration over the glitches and lack of funding that prevented them from submitting their applications.
I was deeply frustrated that the minister repeatedly blamed the Conservatives for a system that has failed so many farmers.
He should have admitted that farmers have lost vital funding which keeps their businesses going, and pledged to do better. An apology, which came right at the end of the session, would have been better at the outset.
I hope I managed to convey the frustration and anger so many farmers feel over this fiasco in my question!
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