As a farmer participating in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, it's crucial to stay informed about your obligations, including the 'annual declaration'. This essential component of the SFI ensures that you are meeting the commitments of your agreement. Here's what you need to know about the SFI annual declaration:
What is the SFI Annual Declaration?
The SFI annual declaration is a formal confirmation that you have complied, or expect to have complied, with the obligations outlined in your SFI agreement for the year. This declaration is a critical part of the SFI process, ensuring that all participants are adhering to the agreed-upon practices that promote sustainable farming.
When and How to Submit Your Declaration
You are required to submit your annual declaration towards the end of each agreement year. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will specify the exact date, which will fall within the last two months of your agreement year. It's important to mark this date on your calendar to avoid any delays or complications.
Submitting your declaration is straightforward. The RPA provides a simple tick box form that you can complete online using the Rural Payments service. You will receive a notification from the RPA when the form is ready for submission, making the process as seamless as possible.
Keeping on top of your annual declaration obligations doesn’t have to be a headache. With tools like JustFarm, you can track key dates, store your evidence, and get alerts before important deadlines, so your annual declaration is always handled with confidence.
Why is the Annual Declaration Important?
The annual declaration serves several important purposes:
- Compliance Verification: It confirms that you are meeting the requirements of your SFI agreement, which is essential for maintaining your eligibility in the scheme
- Payment Continuity: Timely submission of your declaration ensures that there are no delays in receiving the fourth instalment of your payment. Failure to submit on time may result in payment delays or be considered a breach of your agreement
- Scheme Integrity: By confirming compliance, the annual declaration helps uphold the integrity of the SFI scheme, ensuring that all participants are contributing to sustainable farming practices
Tips for a Smooth Declaration Process
- Use JustFarm to stay organised all year. JustFarm keeps all your evidence, scheme details, and deadlines in one secure place. It automatically logs your activities, prompts you for missing information, and sends reminders well before your declaration is due, meaning you can confirm compliance with confidence.
- Set Reminders: As the end of your agreement year approaches, set reminders to check for notifications from the RPA about your declaration
- Seek Assistance if Needed: If you have any questions or encounter issues with the declaration process, don't hesitate to reach out to the RPA or consult with a farm advisor
Why JustFarm Is Your Best Annual Declaration Partner
Submitting your SFI annual declaration shouldn’t be stressful, and it doesn’t have to be. JustFarm is designed to make compliance easy, by:
- Tracking every action you take under your agreement automatically
- Storing photos, field notes, and proof in an organised, audit-ready format
- Giving you a clear, year-round view of your progress against scheme requirements
- Sending proactive reminders so you’re never caught out by a deadline
With JustFarm, you’re not scrambling at the end of the year. You’re simply confirming what the system has already tracked for you.
By understanding and fulfilling your annual declaration obligations, you can ensure a smooth experience with the SFI scheme and continue to benefit from its support for sustainable farming practices.
Your farming year is busy enough without chasing paperwork and worrying about compliance slips. JustFarm acts as your consistent helper, quietly keeping track of what matters, so when it’s time for your annual declaration, everything is ready and waiting.
Stay compliant. Stay confident. Make your next SFI declaration the easiest one yet with JustFarm.