Enhanced Greening quick guide
Do you have more than 15 hectares of arable land? If so, you will need to manage Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) in 2026.
What is Enhanced Greening?
In 2026, we are asking more farmers and crofters to manage EFAs. This is part of Enhanced Greening.
This will mean that more land in Scotland is farmed in a way that protects nature and is good for the climate.
What is an Ecological Focus Area (EFA)?
An EFA is an area of arable land managed for the benefit of the climate and the environment.
What do we mean by “arable land?”
Arable land is land cultivated for crop production. This includes fallow areas and temporary grassland.
It does not include areas under permanent crops.
When does this take effect?
The changes will take effect from 1 January 2026. However, not all EFA options require active management from the start of the year.
Check the scheme guidance now to make sure you have time to prepare.
What are the benefits?
Enhanced Greening will help support more sustainable and regenerative farming.
Benefits include:
- increasing the area and quality of nature rich habitat and on-farm biodiversity
- improving soil, air and water quality
- encouraging more farmers and crofters to use practices that reduce harmful emissions
Changes to exemptions
These changes are being made by removing several exemptions. Until now, many farmers and crofters have been exempt from managing EFA. These exemptions are being removed.
More than 75% of my arable land is temporary grass, herbaceous forage, fallow or leguminous crops – am I exempt?
No. This exemption no longer applies. You will need to manage EFA in 2026.
More than 75% of my total is temporary grass or permanent grass or herbaceous forage – am I exempt?
No. This exemption no longer applies. You will need to manage EFA in 2026.
I only have temporary grassland which is defined as arable under the scheme guidance. I was previously exempt. Will I have to manage arable EFA?
Yes. The exemption has been removed. If you have more than 15 hectares of arable land, including temporary grassland, you must manage 5% of your arable land as EFA.
Changes to EFA options
We have updated the guidance for EFA options. This will apply to all customers, whether you are managing EFA for the first time or have done for years.
The full list of EFA options is now as follows:
- fallow land
- margins
- catch crops
- green cover
- nitrogen-fixing crops
- hedges
- agro-forestry
- herb and legume rich pastures
- unharvested crop
- low input grassland
- low density trees
What to do next
Check the Enhanced Greening Guidance now to make sure you know what to do.
If you have questions, get in touch with your local area office.