A degree of simplicity may be necessary in order to achieve high SFI uptake, and we acknowledge that an approach based on specific actions and parcels of land will work for many farmers. However, Defra should not miss opportunities to also support a more ambitious whole-farm approach to delivering public goods. This could also help farmers produce food both more sustainably and more competitively, by making the best use of their land and reducing costs. Alongside the parcel-based actions within the SFI, Defra should set out a plan to support public goods delivery at the whole-farm level, including using the pilot phase of SFI to evaluate the merits of including a whole-farm standard in the scheme.