Uplands farmers are facing an "income crisis" as a result of the change from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

The NFU uplands forum has told farming minister Victoria Prentis MP that Defra needs to support uplands farmers in the transition.

The forum stressed that as BPS makes up such a large proportion of upland incomes and that the planned reductions in BPS and the absence of a meaningful SFI option, will create an income crisis for uplands farmers.

It pointed out that the SFI does not offer an alternative viable income stream for many due to lack of measures, information and sufficient payment rates.

It stressed that uplands farmers form the backbone of rural communities, use land otherwise unsuitable for food production to produce quality, sustainable meat and dairy, and manage the landscape so it can be enjoyed by all.

The forum asked Defra to provide a long-term vision for the future of uplands farming in Britain and to work collaboratively with uplands farmers to deliver a collective goal of sustainable food production alongside meaningful environmental benefits.

It is calling for the moorland and rough grazing standard to have more options and additional levels that deliver value for money for both the public and hill farmers.

The forum is also calling for improvements to Countryside Stewardship, such as flexible start dates with opportunity for immediate transition from Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), and a review and update of HLS payment rates for the many farmers still involved in the scheme.

NFU uplands forum chairman Thomas Binns said: “We all know that upland farmers stand to be heavily impacted by the changes in domestic agricultural policy.

"As BPS payments start to be phased out and many of us nervously await more information about the new schemes, I stressed to the Farming Minister the importance of a long-term vision for the future of the uplands sector.

“This would instil confidence that the government recognises the sector’s value in all it delivers for the public, and that we are working towards a collective goal of sustainable food production and environmental enhancement.

"It is vital that the sector’s value is reflected in the SFI scheme by delivering meaningful benefits to both farmers and the environment.”

NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw said: “The success of ELMs depends on all farmers being able to take part and be properly rewarded and it’s vital the government takes our recommendations on board to develop an SFI scheme where uplands farmers are confident in its viability.

“We will continue to work with Defra to ensure the scheme offers real value for money for both the public goods delivered and the farmers that deliver them.”