As of today, 12 November 2024, all customers can apply for the expanded SFI offer. An expression of interest no longer needs to be submitted and the SFI Expanded Offer can now be directly applied for via the Rural Payments Service.
However, the expanded SFI offer is not yet open to be applied for on common land. Those farming on commons and wishing to apply for SFI should be advised to contact the RPA and we will support them in getting ready. Please use the subject heading ‘Expanded Offer Commons Interest’ when contacting us at ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk.
Those farming on moorland commons can continue to access the action already available in SFI - CMOR1: assess the condition of the moorland (previously MOR1). They will be able to apply for the expanded offer on their non common land through a separate agreement if they wish.
Those customers who submitted an expression of interest form but haven’t yet been invited to apply, will be notified today that they can submit their application.
The link to the expression of interest form has been removed from gov.uk and in it’s place, the following message will appear You can now apply for SFI 2024 without needing to complete the expression of interest survey. The link will remain in any Farming or RPA blog posts.