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<p>In 2020 we published the Agricultural Transition Plan (ATP), setting out our plan
for farmers, allowing them to make business planning decisions with confidence. Since
then, we have launched our reforms, aiming to give farmers more choice and ensuring
there are offers available for all farm types and locations. This includes the rollout
of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and our Innovation and Productivity schemes
such as the Farming Investment Fund (FIF).</p><p> </p><p>We also continue to expand
and improve our offers in response to farmers’ feedback. Recently, the Government
has confirmed farmers will benefit from the improved SFI from July this year, following
the announcement by the Environment Secretary Steve Barclay in January. The improved
offer includes a 10% increase in the average value of agreements in SFI and Countryside
Stewardship (CS); a streamlined single application process for farmers to apply for
the SFI and CS Mid-Tier; and around 50 new actions that farmers can get paid for.</p><p>
</p><p>Furthermore, to aid the transition, and to give farmers confidence in their
choices and the best chance of benefiting from our reforms we are also providing support
via the Future Farming Resilience Fund. This fund is designed to provide free business
support to farmers and land managers in England during the early years of the agricultural
transition.</p><p> </p><p>Lastly, on 14 May 2024 we published our Blueprint for Growing
the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector, which aims to boost production of fresh produce
and reduce reliance on imports. This is backed by our new Horticulture Resilience
and Growth Offer, where Defra will look to double to £80m the amount of funding given
to horticulture businesses when compared to the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid
Scheme, which will be replaced from 2026 onwards. We are also unlocking the opportunities
of gene editing with £15m investment into Genetic Improvement Networks, helping to
boost access to more resilient crop varieties, that require fewer inputs and cut farmer
costs.</p>
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