Farmers' fury as race for £233m funding compared to 'scramble for Oasis tickets'
UK farmers are expressing frustration after a £233m government environmental funding scheme closed in less than six hours due to overwhelming demand. Farming unions are demanding clarity from the government regarding the lack of budget to support sustainable land management.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the tension between government environmental goals and the practical financial needs of the agricultural sector.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Many farmers rely on government payments to manage their land in more environmentally-friendly ways
Thousands of farmers missed out on vital government funding after online applications for a £233m green scheme for the whole of England closed down in under six hours.
Farming and environmental groups condemned the race to secure the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) funding, with some comparing it to a "frantic" online scramble to secure Glastonbury or Oasis gig tickets.
The post-Brexit scheme, which replaced EU subsidies with payments for farmers to look after nature and provide "public goods", opened at 10:00 BST on Tuesday but had run out of budget by 15:48 BST.
The government said farmers had responded "in force" to the scheme and there would be further funding opportunities for 2027.
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