UK: Growers urged to consider SFI's potential impact on pulse crops

Growers entering agreements for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) are being advised to ensure they fully understand the potential impact their decisions will have on future pulse crop rotations. Concerns are growing that well-intentioned SFI agreements could negatively impact future pulse production opportunities, the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) says. With legumes being included in some SFI options it could mean that they are left in the ground for a number of years – or are very frequently present – increasing the likelihood of soil-borne diseases in future pulse crops. PGRO has set out a detailed paper written by Dr Becky Howard highlighting some of the potential unintended consequences which it advises all arable farmers to read before embarking on an SFI option. PGRO CEO Roger Vickers said: “We are not against the Sustainable Farming Incentive; in fact we agree that farmers should be paid for providing positive environmental outcomes. “But PGRO ...