Understanding the Enhanced Greening Changes Coming in 2026
Everything farmers need to know under Scotland’s Agricultural Reform Programme
By Louise Finnie, Graduate Surveyor
As part of the Agricultural Reform Programme (ARP), a new Enhanced Greening payment will be introduced from 2026. Under the Enhanced Greening requirements, a greater number of farm businesses will be required to actively manage Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) on arable land in order to receive the 30% Greening component of their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.
If you’re a farmer or land manager, it’s worth getting to grips with these upcoming changes now. While many holdings will already meet the new standards as part of their usual practices, there are several updates and new requirements that could affect how you plan for 2026 and beyond. These changes will mean that a greater number of businesses, including those previously exempt, will be required to undertake greening measures.
Below is a summary of the key updates drawn from the Scottish Government’s latest Greening guidance, focusing on the main changes to the existing Ecological Focus Area (EFA) rules and new EFA options being introduced.
What’s Changing from 1st January 2026?
The first key change to note is the removal of the previous 75% Grassland and Temporary Grassland exemptions from greening requirements. As a result, from 2026, any holding with more than 15 hectares of non-organic arable land – including temporary grassland – will be required to implement greening measures. Fully organic operations will remain exempt. From 2026, 5% of eligible arable land must be designated as an Ecological Focus Area (EFA). The requirement to maintain a lime and fertiliser plan has been removed.
EFA Plan Requirement
You no longer need to submit an EFA plan with your SAF (Single Application Form). However, an up-to-date plan must still be created and kept on file in case of inspections.
Updates to Existing EFA Requirements
EFA Fallow
Fallow areas must be planted with either: Temporary Grassland (with at least three flowering species), Wild Bird Seed mix, Wildflower mix, or a Soil Conditioning crop. If you plan to claim EFA Fallow on Machair Common Grazing, the land must be managed solely through natural regeneration from stubble. A species list for these can be found in the scheme guidance.
EFA Margins
The minimum width requirement for margins has been increased from 1 metre to 3 metres. While the classification rules for margins remain unchanged, 1 and 2 metre margins are no longer eligible for Ecological Focus Area (EFA) claims. New grass margins must feature a diverse sward with pollen-bearing plants. A species list for these can be found in the scheme guidance.
EFA Catch Crops
The range of crop types eligible for under-sowing has been expanded to include oilseed rape and maize, in addition to cereals. Post-harvest, spot-treatment with herbicides is now permitted for the control of injurious and invasive weeds.
EFA Green Cover
The list of allowable species has been expanded to include Alsike clover, Crimson clover, Buckwheat, Kale, and several others. Additionally, the previous grazing restriction has been lifted, allowing grazing to take place before 31 December.
EFA Nitrogen-Fixing Crops
New eligible crops now include alsike clover, berseem clover, red clover, sweet clover, and fenugreek. These crops may be harvested before 1st August, provided that a minimum 3-metre EFA margin is maintained around the field. The use of herbicides and fungicides is now permitted. For the main EFA nitrogen-fixing crop claim, this crop must constitute no more than 75% of the total area claimed as nitrogen-fixing crops. You may sow either a single species or a mixture of legumes, ensuring that nitrogen-fixing species are predominant by seed weight when mixed with other crops. The predominant nitrogen-fixing crop for each claimed area must be declared as the land use on your Single Application Form.
EFA Permanent Grassland
If EFA areas are sited on permanent grassland (e.g., margins), these will count as arable for Enhanced Greening calculations.
Example:
-
- Total holding = 125ha
- Arable land = 100ha
- EFA requirement (5%) = 5ha
- If all 5ha of EFA is on grassland, it is added to arable:
100ha + 5ha = 105ha, requiring a revised EFA area of 5.25ha
EFA Hedges
The definition of a hedge has been revised, reducing the allowable gap for claiming from up to 20 metres to 5 metres, in order to encourage replanting. Additionally, the permitted dates for hedge trimming have been amended. When claiming hedges for EFA, trimming or lopping of tree branches is now prohibited between 1st March and 1st December, except in cases related to road safety or the establishment of a winter crop. Best practice is to plant margins alongside hedges to avoid trimming conflicts.
New EFA Options for 2026
There are four new EFA options being introduced from 2026. The following provides a summary of the options but does not include full detailed guidance.
EFA Low Input Grassland
This new option aims to improve soil and biodiversity while cutting costs. This option is not permitted on rough grazing parcels. The application of inorganic fertilizers, over-grazing, and poaching of any areas is prohibited. However, the use of organic fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), and seaweed is allowed.
Field management for grazing must include one of the following practices: grazing, rotational grazing with designated rest periods, or cutting for hay or haylage with grass properly tedded out. Additionally, grazed pastures must be managed with limited nutrient inputs, and a 3-metre uncut margin must be maintained to encourage the growth of flowers and seed. This margin should be grazed only after the grass has set seed. In terms of weighting factors, EFA Low Input Grassland is a Contribution of 0.2.
EFA Herb and Legume Rich Pastures
The purpose of this new option is to achieve and maintain species diversity within existing rotational or improved permanent grass swards through over-seeding or reseeding with a diverse grass species mix. This practice extends the duration of grassland within an arable rotation, enhances soil organic matter, and reduces cultivations that contribute to carbon release. You must ensure that the arable sward contains at least three different herbs or legumes listed in the guidance table. The mix must include at least one legume, and you are required to retain evidence of the diverse seed mix used. The application of inorganic nitrogen fertilisers and plant protection products is prohibited, except for spot treatments of herbicides targeting injurious, invasive, or other specified weed species. In terms of weighting factors, EFA Herb and Legume Rich Pastures is a contribution of 1.5.
EFA Unharvested Crop
Areas of unharvested crops serve as valuable habitats for farmland biodiversity, support wildlife and ecological networks, and contribute to improved water quality. For this option, you must establish a single-species crop, which can be a spring- or autumn-sown cereal, an oilseed crop, or a spring-sown pea or pulse crop. The crop area must be between 6 and 20 metres in width. No plant protection products may be applied to the unharvested crop area from 1st January to 31st December, and the use of nitrogen fertiliser is prohibited. However, phosphate and potassium may be applied to maintain soil fertility. The area must remain unharvested throughout the year, though grazing is permitted after 31st December. EFA Unharvested Crop has an EFA Contribution of 1.5.
EFA Agroforestry Low Density Planting
Agroforestry systems offer several environmental benefits, including the creation of diverse habitats for wildlife, reduction of runoff and soil erosion, provision of shade for livestock, and potential opportunities for income diversification. For this option, the declared area must maintain a low tree density of 20 to 50 trees per hectare, with each tree protected by cactus guards or similar and plastic tree guards, established on permanent grassland. In arable settings, trees should be planted in rows with sufficient spacing to allow machinery to operate efficiently, and must be protected with guards to prevent browsing. Only native tree species, including fruit trees, are permitted. EFA Agroforestry Low Density Planting has an EFA Contribution of 2.0.
In Summary
While the changes may seem significant at first glance, many farming operations will already align with these requirements through current practices. Nonetheless, it’s essential to review your SAF plans for 2026 and consider any adjustments that may be needed to ensure eligibility for the Enhanced Greening payment.
Finally, please note that EFA requirements for 2026 will apply only to BPS claimants with 15 hectares or more of arable land, including temporary grassland (TGRS), in their claim. It is anticipated that EFA requirements may be extended to include permanent grassland (PGRS) from 2027. However, no decisions have been made regarding the inclusion of rough grazing (RGR) or what specific options may apply in future.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how these changes may impact your business, don’t hesitate to contact one of our rural consultants. We’re here to help you navigate the road ahead.
