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Environment Secretary announcements at the Oxford Farming Conference

Thu 08 Jan 2026

Today at the Oxford Farming Conference, the Environment Secretary made a series of announcements to support farmers in England, with a focus on clarity, partnership and growth. This includes updates on the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the Farming Roadmap and Farming in Protected landscapes (FiPL). 

The new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer for 2026

  • The new SFI offer will open again this year with actions that support sustainable food production. 
  • The offer will open in two windows, June and September with limits on who can apply when. 
  • In the new offer, payment rates and area limits will be reviewed, along with whether agreement values should be limited. 

Further details on the available options, eligibility to apply and exact dates are expected to be released later in the year. 
 

Publishing the Farming Roadmap

  • The 25-year Farming Roadmap will set out the long-term direction for farming, including how the sector will adapt to changing markets, new technologies and environmental pressures, and how government will support that change.
  • There has been a series of workshops held across the country, including in Lincolnshire, which collated information to help shape the roadmap.
  • The roadmap should be published later this year.


Extending the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL)

The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme will be extended for a further 3 years, with £30 million in funding confirmed for next year. This extension will enable more farmers to deliver meaningful benefits for nature, the climate and local communities across the Lincolnshire Wolds and other National Parks and National Landscapes.

For farmers located within the Lincolnshire Wolds, this may open up opportunity to support businesses with diversification ideas or environmental improvements. 

These announcements follow December’s update that the inheritance tax threshold for Agricultural and Business Property Relief will increase from £1 million to £2.5 million. This means couples will be able to pass on up to £5 million without paying inheritance tax on their assets. This is in addition to existing allowances, such as the nil-rate band. While this is a beneficial change; we will continue to support our clients with Inheritance Tax planning and succession planning and would always encourage a conversation. 

As we go into the 2026, it’s vital that farmers work together with trusted advisors to ensure they remain on top of the ever-evolving information. 

Following today’s announcement, we are going into 2026 with some clarity, but the ease and stability we have seen in the past has gone. Businesses will need to act fast and precisely when making business decisions and accessing supportive funding pots. 

With that in mind, our expert professionals are uniquely able to support you with future planning whether it be financial reporting, farm finance, grant finding, planning or succession planning, please contact please contact Abi Saunders on 07930 592030 or email [email protected] for an initial chat and signposting to the relevant trusted advisor in the Masons Rural Team.

To catch up on Abi's interview with Steve Orchard just click the link below for the podcast episode talking about the key takeouts from the Oxford Conference including FiPL in the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape around 6 minutes in. 



Photo credit: Steve Scoffin Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service