If you missed our recent event with the Foundation for Common Land about Defra’s Moorland and Rough Grazing Sustainable Farm Incentive (SFI22) you can watch it here
Last year (2021) Defra started phasing out the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England. They are replacing it, over the next seven years, by three new payment systems based on the delivery of public goods. We have been waiting a long time to find out what Defra is planning. In early December they provided more details The first scheme available for commons is the Moorland and Rough Grazing Sustainable Farm Incentive (SFI22).
Early opportunity to find out more
The webinar was a timely opportunity to find out more Our main presenter Julia Aglionby, Executive Director of the Foundation for Common Land expanded on the information from Defra under the headings: “what we do know”; “what we don’t know” and “what we can do now” . After Julia’s presentation the attendees were split into smaller groups to discuss what they had just heard. There were some interesting reflections and conversations, not all positive about SFI22! Although the money Defra is offering is pitiful and the actions required by Defra may not make much sense, the message from the meeting was don’t dismiss SFI 22. It is stepping stone for other ELM funding, so don’t rule yourself out a this stage. In the meanwhile, we are lobbying for changes to the Moorland and Rough Grazing Introductory Standard. It needs to be more practical and doable. Also, we plan to attend the meetings for the development of the new Local Nature Recovery scheme. Our strength and difference from many organisations who attend these meetings is that we talk from the grass roots and our livelihoods depend on getting this right.