51AVÊÓÆµ

Framing SFI closure as a triumph added 'insult to injury', says Efra chair

The Government has pulled the rug out from under farmers across England, according to Alastair Carmichael

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said: "The decision to close SFI on Tuesday (March 11) without any notice has provoked predictable and justifiable fury, but doing it with a press release that sought to present it as some sort of triumph added insult to injury. It was almost like a return to the glory days of the Soviet Union, when the Politburo would boast about their advances in meeting their targets in the five-year plan for tractor production."
Image:

Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said: "The decision to close SFI on Tuesday (March 11) without any notice has provoked predictable and justifiable fury, but doing it with a press release that sought to present it as some sort of triumph added insult to injury. It was almost like a return to the glory days of the Soviet Union, when the Politburo would boast about their advances in meeting their targets in the five-year plan for tractor production."

Efra Committee Chair Alastair Carmichael has criticised the tone of language used by Defra to announce its closure of Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) applications for farmers seeking to benefit nature,...

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

Letters: "Together, we have helped protect the future of many family farms"

Letters: "Together, we have helped protect the future of many family farms"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Tom Bradshaw, NFU president, discusses the successful campaign to change proposed Inheritance Tax rules affecting family farms

Tom Bradshaw
clock 13 January 2026 • 1 min read
Parliament to debate 1 million-strong petition demanding an early general election

Parliament to debate 1 million-strong petition demanding an early general election

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont said one of the reasons why Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to call an early general election is because of the Government's treatment of farmers and the countryside with Inheritance Tax changes

Chris Brayford
clock 12 January 2026 • 2 min read
Farmland at risk from rapid solar expansion due to 'inconsistencies' in Environmental Impact Assessments

Farmland at risk from rapid solar expansion due to 'inconsistencies' in Environmental Impact Assessments

The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) says there needs to be a balance between tackling energy security and the climate crisis, our need for food security and preserving biodiversity and natural habitats

Alex Black
clock 12 January 2026 • 3 min read