Wiltshire MP Sarah Gibson has called for greater certainty over farming support after a parliamentary vote on the future of agricultural funding was defeated, with Conservative MPs abstaining.
The Liberal Democrat MP raised concerns in the House of Commons on Wednesday 21st October during an Opposition Day debate on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), following the rapid closure of its latest application window in September.
The scheme, which pays farmers and land managers to carry out work benefiting the environment alongside food production, closed less than six hours after applications opened on 22nd September, after demand exhausted the available budget.
The vote followed a motion calling on the Government to guarantee long-term funding for all eligible SFI applicants, reverse changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms and commit an additional £1 billion a year to environmental land management schemes.
The motion was defeated by 279 votes to 57. Sarah Gibson voted in favour, while Conservative MPs abstained.
Speaking during the debate, Ms Gibson said: “In Wiltshire, farming is at the heart of our rural economy, our landscape and our community. Farmers do not just produce the food on our tables, but support local jobs and businesses, and play a crucial role in protecting and restoring the natural environment. Farmers in Wiltshire are not asking for special treatment; they are merely asking for the certainty that every business needs.”
After the vote, she criticised the Conservative MPs who had abstained.
“I was disappointed to see Conservative MPs abstain on a vote that was fundamentally about giving farmers and rural communities the certainty they desperately need.
“Many of the farmers I speak to in Wiltshire are not interested in political point-scoring. They simply want to know what support will be available so they can plan for the future, invest in their businesses and continue producing food while caring for our environment.
“Given the challenges farmers have faced in recent years, I had hoped MPs from all parties would come together to back them. I know many farmers watching today will find it frustrating that that opportunity was missed.”
The SFI provides payments to farmers for sustainable land management practices, including actions intended to protect the environment, support food production and improve productivity. The latest application window closed after its funding allocation was reached, leaving eligible farmers who had not secured an agreement to wait for another opportunity to apply in 2027.
The debate comes amid wider concerns about the financial pressures facing farming businesses and the need for clear, long-term arrangements for agricultural and environmental funding.
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