Defra Pledges Farmers And Growers New Era Of Partnership At Oxford Farming Conference 2026
- gillmcshane
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has ushered in the start of longer-term collaboration with farmers and growers in England, making a series of announcements designed to offer clarity, partnership, and growth.
At the Oxford Farming Conference 2026 held on 8 January 2026, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Emma Reynolds (pictured above) gave updates on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the Farming Roadmap, and Farming in Protected Landscapes, alongside announcing a £30m Farmer Collaboration Fund.
The package of measures forms part of the government’s vision to improve productivity, profitability, and positive environmental change.
Overall, Defra set out an objective to link profitable farming with a thriving environment, underpinned by trade deals opening new markets, planning reform, and investment in technology.
The NFU welcomed Defra's commitments, with NFU President Tom Bradshaw saying: “It’s encouraging to see the Defra Secretary of State’s real ambition for a thriving agriculture industry, demonstrated by her announcements made today, as well as her commitment to working collaboratively with farmers and growers.”
IHT – No More Concessions
Notably, Reynolds ruled out further amendments to the Inheritance Tax (IHT), reportedly saying: “That’s it”, adding that government had listened already.
In December, an update confirmed that the inheritance tax threshold for Agricultural and Business Property Relief will increase from £1 million to £2.5 million.
Clarity for SFI Scheme Reopening
There was welcome clarity on Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, which will open in June with two application windows; the first prioritising smaller farms and those without existing agreements, followed by a second round in September for all applications.
Replacing the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the SFI offer for 2026 will be simplified, with streamlined actions and a stronger emphasis on sustainable food production, Reynolds said.
The government is also considering an agreement value cap to help share funding more fairly while delivering benefits for nature and climate.
However, the SFI announcement did not include organic production, leading the Soil Association to urge government to provide reassurance it will back organic in both SFI windows in the same week that 18 environment and farming groups signed a Soil Association open letter calling for a 10% organic farmland target in England, backed by an Organic Action Plan.
The full details of the SFI scheme will be published ahead of the application window opening in June.
Long-Term Farming Roadmap
A 25‑year Farming Roadmap will be published later this year to give long‑term direction on markets, technology, environment and government support, building on previous sector and regional workshops.
Reynolds said government had worked with farmers to help shape the roadmap and will continue to engage with the sector.
Farming and Food Partnership Board
A new Farming and Food Partnership Board, announced at the end of last year, will bring together farming, food, retail, finance, and government.
Chaired by the Secretary of State with the Farming Minister as deputy, the Board will take a strategic “farm to fork” approach with shared goals, initially focusing sector plans on horticulture, then poultry.
The board will work to improve how the whole food supply chain functions.
It will champion profitable and sustainable production and food security, help to ensure growth aligns with health and environmental goals, and that market demand is matched by domestic and export supply.
£30m Farmer Collaboration Fund
Over the next three years an investment of £30 million will fund a new approach to farm collaboration to help farmers share experiences with each other and access expert advice.
The fund will back both existing and new farmer groups and networks, as well as support farm visits, and expert input.
From 2026 different approaches will be trialled in different areas to give farmers more flexibility and less bureaucracy.
Defra said this £30m investment will support practical, farmer-led approaches, and help ensure that advice is available where it can make the greatest difference.
Planning Measures
A consultation has opened on planning reforms aimed at making it easier to diversify and build infrastructure such as reservoirs, greenhouses, polytunnels and farm shops, supporting sustainable growth.
(FiPL) programme
The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme is extended three years, with £30 million confirmed for next year to enable more farmers to deliver meaningful benefits for nature.
This continues support for projects in National Parks and National Landscapes involving over 11,000 farmers to date.
Uplands Support
Defra will work with Dr Hilary Cottam and upland communities (starting with Dartmoor then Cumbria) on a place‑based model to align public, private and third‑sector funding, create new income streams, and support locally-led change in England’s uplands.