Greening Rules Set to Change in 2026

From 1 January 2026, significant changes to Scotland’s greening rules will come into effect under the new Enhanced Greening framework. The removal of two grassland exemptions means more farm businesses will need to meet Ecological Focus Area (EFA) requirements to remain eligible for the greening payment - a top-up to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), currently accounting for 30% of Pillar 1 funding. 

Four new EFA management options will be introduced, alongside changes to existing ones. These updates aim to broaden the range of sustainable practices adopted across Scottish agriculture. 

What’s Changing? 

If you're a farmer or crofter with more than 15 hectares of arable land (including temporary grass), you’ll now be required to manage 5% of that area as EFA’s. These are areas managed to support biodiversity and reduce emissions. 

Since greening rules were introduced in 2015, a farm business would be required to undertake Ecological Focus Area (EFA) management practices if the business claimed more than 15 ha arable land (which includes temporary grass) and failed to meet either of the two exemptions shown below: 

• 75% of the BPS claimed area is comprised of grassland 

• 75% of the arable area is comprised of temporary grass (TGRS) 

The only exception to this is when the entire holding is certified as organic or in organic conversion – in this situation, the EFA requirements do not apply. 

While in the past there were several exemptions in place for greening requirements, the new enhanced greening rules are much more all-encompassing. Therefore, if in doubt, assume they do apply to you or speak with your local agricultural consultant to get a better understanding of what these new rules mean for you. 

If you are no longer exempt from greening, you will be required to farm 5% of your calculated arable area in a manner that promotes biodiversity, and or reduces emissions – known as Ecoligical Focus Areas. There are eleven types of EFA. You will be required to prepare a map with your Single Application Form detailing the type, location and size of each EFA feature.  

The full list of approved EFA types is available via fas.scot. 

EFA Management Options 

The number of EFA management options is being increased in 2026. In addition to the options that were available in 2025, there will be four new options created for 2026.  

There have been some significant amendments to the detailed guidance for each of the exiting EFA options listed above. If you have managed EFAs before, please do not assume that doing the same again will be compliant for the 2026 scheme year. Read the online guidance and make sure you are fully aware of all the management requirements for the options that you select. 

The four new EFA options for 2026 are shown in the table below:

The creation of four new EFA options is recognition that a broader range of EFA management will be required in 2026 to help cater for the larger number of farm businesses that will engage with greening for the first time.  

Other Changes 

The changes that are set to be introduced in 2026 don’t stop there. In 2026, you only need to retain a map detailing your EFA areas; the EFA map no longer needs to be submitted to Scottish Government along with your Single Application Form. The requirement to produce a fertiliser and lime plan has also been removed for 2026 as this is now addressed, in part, through soil sampling within the Whole Farm Plan. 

The full management requirements for each of the four new EFA options is available at ruralpayments.org.  

5 Top Tips 

1. Read the full scheme guidance – available online at ruralpayments.org. 
2. Start thinking about your cropping plan for autumn 2025 and spring 2026. 
3. Estimate your Ecological Focus Area (EFA) requirement based on your cropping plan. 
4. Consider which EFA options could be utilised most effectively on your holding. 
5. Discuss the EFA options with your local SAC Consulting consultant. Do this sooner rather than later. The sooner you have this discussion, the less restricted your options will be. 

Useful Links 

• www.fas.scot/downloads/greening-key-dates-2026
• www.fas.scot/downloads/greening-checklist-for-2026-permanent-grassland 
• www.fas.scot/podcast/rural-roundup-enhanced-greening-for-2026 

Alastair Beattie, Senior Agricultural Consultant, Alastair.Beattie@sac.co.uk 

Unearthed is the exclusive SAC Consulting members' monthly newsletter. Unearthed offers insights and tips from our experts on what we think is in store for farming and crofting in the coming months in order to protect and enhance your business.

Posted by Unearthed News on 16/07/2025