My tasks · England
Farming in England?
Porthmon's first tool is for farms in Wales. If you farm in England, here is what is known about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) today, what you can get ready now, and a free way to keep your evidence.
SFI 2027 details are not published yet
Where things stand
SFI26 is closed
Window 1 closed on 28 August 2026. Window 2 opened on 22 September and closed at 15:48 the same day, once the budget was allocated.
GOV.UK, SFI26 scheme rules
SFI in 2027
Defra plans to offer SFI in 2027 and says it will share details as early as possible. It is looking at alternatives to first come, first served.
Defra Farming blog; FarmingUK, October 2026
Delinked payments
2027 is the last year of delinked payments in England, which replaced the Basic Payment Scheme.
GOV.UK, delinked payments
Get ready before the next window
When a window opens it can close within hours, so these are worth sorting out now. They are the SFI26 requirements; SFI27 may change some of them.
- Registered with the Rural Payments Agency. Your business needs a Single Business Identifier (SBI).
- Maps up to date. Check that your digital maps in the Rural Payments service show the right land, land covers and features.
- At least 3 hectares. SFI26 needed at least 3 ha of agricultural land linked to your SBI.
- Control of the land for the whole agreement. Usually 3 years. If you rent, check how long your tenancy runs.
- Not common land. Common land and shared grazing could not go into SFI26.
- Consents. Land that is a SSSI or has a scheduled monument or historic feature may need consent or advice before some actions.
- Contact details current. The RPA uses your registered details for offers and declarations.
- Existing agreement end date. If you have an SFI23 or SFI24 agreement, know when it ends.
Under SFI26 each business could hold one agreement, worth up to £100,000 a year, usually for 3 years.
Already have an SFI agreement?
Keep the evidence required by your own agreement, such as field operations and invoices. For SFI26, supporting evidence is kept for at least 7 years from the agreement end date, or its earlier termination date. Existing SFI23 and SFI24 holders must follow their own agreement rules. The RPA may visit, check by satellite or ask for evidence, and each year you make an annual declaration.
The Porthmon diary keeps each job with its date, field, photo and notes, and prints them as one pack when the RPA asks. It is a general farm record: its record types follow the Welsh scheme, so check what each action in your own agreement asks you to keep. It is free, and your records stay in this browser unless you sign in.
Hear when SFI27 details are out
Leave your email and we will tell you when Defra publishes the details, and when Porthmon has a check for farms in England.
Sources: SFI26 scheme rules and guidance (GOV.UK); SFI26: Window 2 now closed (Defra Farming blog); Defra weighs SFI27 changes (FarmingUK); Delinked payments (GOV.UK). This page is a guide to published rules, not official advice.