Following the news that Defra had abruptly closed applications for SFI24 as of 11 March, the NFU organised a member-exclusive webinar to update members on conversations with Defra.
Our webinar covered what happened and why, and what to expect next.
NFU senior support schemes adviser Richard Wordsworth and NFU senior countryside adviser Claire Robinson explained how the closure will affect applicants and fielded questions from members.
Meet the speakers
David Exwood
NFU Deputy President
David farms south of Horsham in West Sussex with his wife and two sons over 1200 tenanted hectares in the heart of the Sussex Weald.
Starting in 1989 with 70ha the business now has arable, dairy beef, Sussex suckler herd and sheep enterprises. In 2003 the Farm Shop opened and sells a wide range of food from the Victorian stable yard at Westons.
He has served previously within the NFU as Branch Chair, West Sussex Council Delegate, South East Regional Chair as well as four years on Governance Board.
David was elected to the position of NFU Deputy President in February 2024.
Responsibilities
- EU and international relations
- Banking
- Biodiversity
- Food labelling
- Food safety
- Food service and hospitality
- Agricultural transition (productivity, ELMs, stability)
- Plant health
- Assurance schemes
- British Agriculture Bureau
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Agricultural transport
- Uplands
- Tenants
Claire Robinson
Senior Countryside Adviser
Richard Wordsworth
Senior Adviser (Support Schemes)
Richard鈥檚 work falls into four key themes: 1) development of support scheme policy; 2) implementation of scheme policy; 3) assisting NFU members with scheme issues and; 4) educating and raising awareness of scheme issues with members.
Richard鈥檚 work includes a range of schemes including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and various grants and competitions within the Farming Investment Fund including the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and Improving Farm Productivity grants.
We also work on a number of wider issues including Delinked Payments, Hedgerow Regulations, advice and represent members across a wide number of stakeholder forums.