James’ Field Notes: A Temporary Relief That Shows Bigger Challenges Ahead
The recent announcement that over 5,000 Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid Tier agreements will be extended for another year is, on the face of it, welcome news. For thousands of farmers, it provides a temporary sense of certainty — a rare moment of breathing room in a landscape often defined by shifting rules, looming deadlines, and complex compliance.
The extension comes after several months of tireless campaigning by the NFU. From Freedom of Information requests to meetings with ministers, lobbying at party conferences, and written parliamentary questions, the NFU has gone above and beyond to secure clarity for farmers. Without their persistence, many of these agreements might have simply lapsed, leaving businesses scrambling and environmental projects at risk.
As NFU Deputy President David Exwood rightly points out, transparency over budgets and timelines for the rollout of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme is vital. While CS Mid Tier gets its moment of certainty, SFI farmers are left in limbo. Come summer, existing SFI agreements will begin expiring, and there is still little clarity about what will happen next.
The government’s original objective was to support 70% of farms by 2028. In theory, this is a solid target. In practice, overly complicated compliance rules and inconsistent guidance make achieving it much harder. For farmers on the ground, the rules are not just confusing — they can feel impossible. Every missed photo, overlooked option, or delayed submission carries real financial consequences.
What the Extension Means
According to Defra, eligible farmers will receive letters from the RPA by 6 November detailing how to accept their extension. Agreements will continue under the same terms, conditions, and rules, moving the end date to 31 December 2026. Farmers must remain eligible for CS MT, maintain management control, and, if applicable, coordinate with Natural England for SSSI land.
It’s important to note that the extension cannot be used to add, remove, or replace options or capital items. Incomplete capital works will be removed, and any options or supplements shorter than five years cannot be extended. These constraints remind us that while the extension provides certainty, it does not offer flexibility. Farmers must continue to operate within tight, sometimes restrictive, parameters.
Why This Highlights Broader Issues
The extension is a good short-term solution, but it underscores ongoing problems in the system:
- Complexity and missed opportunities: Many farmers have already missed out on funding due to overly complicated rules. An extension doesn’t change this.
- Uncertainty around SFI: While CS MT gets clarity, SFI farmers remain in the dark. Without timelines, budgets, or clear guidance, the risk of missed payments or compliance issues continues.
- Administrative burden: Compliance, inspections, and evidence requirements are not going away. Farmers are still left managing paperwork, deadlines, and technical rules on top of running their businesses.
- Support gaps: The government, while pledging “largest investment in nature-friendly farming,” still leaves farmers to navigate the complexity largely on their own.
My perspective as the CEO of JustFarm is simple: this extension is a relief, but it’s a band-aid on a larger problem. Farming is already one of the most demanding businesses, financially, physically, and administratively. Without clarity, simplification, and better support, the risk to both productivity and environmental delivery remains high.
What Farmers Should Do
Farmers with expiring agreements should:
- Watch for correspondence from the RPA by 6 November.
- Review the extension details carefully, paying attention to deadlines and conditions.
- Maintain eligibility requirements and coordinate with Natural England if you have SSSI land.
- Continue tracking evidence, capital works, and compliance — even under extension.
For those juggling multiple schemes, deadlines, and inspections, tools like JustFarm can help keep your farm compliant, map actions, and track subsidies efficiently. While government certainty remains limited, practical solutions are available to reduce the burden on the farm.
Final Thoughts
The NFU’s success is a reminder of the power of persistent, focused advocacy. The extension is a welcome short-term relief for thousands of farmers. But it’s also a stark reminder of the complexity, uncertainty, and lack of support that still plagues the industry.
As someone who speaks for farmers everyday, I can tell you that farming doesn’t stop for bureaucracy. We need clarity, we need simplicity, and we need realistic support. Otherwise, even well-intentioned extensions like this one are just temporary patches on a system that still needs fixing.
💡 Tip: Keep evidence, map your agreements, and track deadlines with tools like JustFarm — because certainty from government schemes alone is never guaranteed.