51AVÊÓÆµ

NFU Conference: New SFI scheme not enough to repair farmers' 'crisis of confidence' in Labour

Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins said the deckchairs have been rearranged one too many times for farmers since Labour came to office in 2024

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins: "Here we are in February, nearly in March, and they are proposing to open this scheme in June, more than a year since they stopped the original scheme, whilst farmers have been flailing around having a cash flow crisis as a consequence. I cannot see anyone trusting what this Secretary or any other Secretary now with this Government as they will assume they will break their promises as they did with the family farm tax, and as they did with SFI without having a replacement scheme."
Image:

Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins: "Here we are in February, nearly in March, and they are proposing to open this scheme in June, more than a year since they stopped the original scheme, whilst farmers have been flailing around having a cash flow crisis as a consequence. I cannot see anyone trusting what this Secretary or any other Secretary now with this Government as they will assume they will break their promises as they did with the family farm tax, and as they did with SFI without having a replacement scheme."

The Government has still failed to grasp the true depths of skepticism and distrust that farmers have for ministers after announcing its new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2026. At NFU Conference...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

IHT story is far from over, but campaign must continue in a different way

IHT story is far from over, but campaign must continue in a different way

What are the next steps farmers can take to stop the family farm tax at a time when some have argued that the fight to raise thresholds is 'dead' under the current Labour Government?

Chris Brayford
clock 12 April 2026 • 6 min read
Welsh Election 2026: Middle East uncertainty highlights need to back domestic food production

Welsh Election 2026: Middle East uncertainty highlights need to back domestic food production

NFU Cymru and FUW have emphasised the need for the next Welsh Government to provide fair and sustainable funding, evidence-based policymaking and regulatory reform to safeguard the viability and long-term sustainability of Welsh agriculture

Chris Brayford
clock 09 April 2026 • 4 min read
From the editor: A glimmer of hope, but uncertainty remains the watchword

From the editor: A glimmer of hope, but uncertainty remains the watchword

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read