As part of the prime minister’s package of announcements over the weekend, DEFRA has introduced temporary adjustments to ELM revenue agreements following the period of drought. The flexibility is aimed to;
- help reduce fire risk
- ease shortages of grazing, fodder, forage crops and bedding
- give some flexibility on the planting and establishment of seed mixes
The temporary adjustments apply to land in Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) or legacy Countryside Stewardship – including Mid Tier (CSMT) and Higher Tier (CSHT) as well as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) under Environmental Stewardship (ES) across the whole of England, which was declared in drought status by the Environment Agency on 15 August 2026.
If you choose to use the temporary adjustments for wildfires or grazing and bedding, you must complete the temporary adjustment form and keep it for your records. Use a separate form for each ELM revenue agreement, a temporary adjustments are being used for.
It is also important you keep evidence of field operations at the parcel level (including associated invoices) and stocking records to show grazing activity on parcels in adjustments. The RPA may request to see these records at a later date.
Using the temporary adjustments will not affect the payments you receive under your ELM revenue agreement and it is important agreement holders must continue to comply with all of the other obligations under ELM revenue agreements.
Temporary Adjustment for failed establishment of seed mixes including:
- tried and failed establish in spring 2026, such as SFI action CAHL2: Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
- try to establish in summer or autumn 2026, regardless of whether you use the temporary adjustments which allow later establishment or not
In this case, you must either inform the RPA in writing as soon as possible. For land in CS or ES agreements complete a CS and ES minor and temporary adjustment form and email it to RPA at ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk (or write to RPA)
When you contact RPA by email, include in the subject line the relevant scheme, ‘TRA’ and your SBI, for example: CS – TRA – A12345678. You do not need to re-establish these failed actions or options this year in order to be paid. However, you must re-establish them next year to continue to be paid for the actions or options in subsequent agreement years.
-Ends-
This blog was written by Lynette Steel, TFA Farm Policy Adviser.
Additional reading:
Government announces drought support package for English farmers
Government Press Release – PM: Farmers should not carry the risk of a changing climate alone
TFA Lobbying #15 – TFA Calls on Government for a Coordinated Response to Bluetongue and Drought
Further Resources from the TFA:
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- Browse our Blog archive for the latest news, including farming policy updates
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For press and media enquiries about any of these stories, please contact Julia Meadows, TFA Communications and Events Coordinator by calling TFA head office on 0118 930 6130 or 07887 777157.
