More than £400 million has already been paid to farmers under government-backed environmental farming schemes, with three quarters of eligible claimants receiving their money just weeks

after the 2025 payment window opened.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) said on Friday that 28,351 Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments had been made since 1 December, totalling £435.6 million. Further payments are expected to continue throughout December and into the new year.

The schemes are designed to support sustainable food production while encouraging farmers to deliver environmental improvements. These include restoring habitats, protecting wildlife, improving water quality, reducing flood risk and increasing carbon capture, alongside conserving historic and archaeological features.

Officials say the programmes also strengthen farm resilience by promoting sustainable land management, helping rural businesses adapt for the long term. The approach aligns with government targets on nature recovery, carbon storage and sustainable food production.

RPA chief executive Neil Hornby said the agency had prioritised early payments this year.

“We’ve made a strong start to the 2025 payment window and increased the number of payments made in the first few weeks compared with last year,” he said, thanking staff for their efforts to improve service for farmers.

The government said it remains committed to backing British farming through a combination of new technology, streamlined regulation and nature-friendly schemes. More than half of farmers are now participating in such programmes, which ministers say support both environmental goals and farm profitability. Photo by Scott Rimmer, Wikimedia commons.