Overview

Date published: 29 August, 2019

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

This guidance is effective from 1 January, 2020

Table of Contents



Greening was introduced to improve the environmental performance of farming. A new Greening payment ‘for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and environment’ will be paid on top of the Basic Payment Scheme from 2015.

Thirty per cent of Scotland’s Direct Payment budget is allocated to the Greening payment. When considering the implementation of the Greening requirements in Scotland, a balance was reached regarding the transfer of funds from Pillar one to Pillar two and the activities to be undertaken to meet the Greening requirements.

Under reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, it is mandatory for applicants to the Basic Payment Scheme to comply with Greening requirements, where relevant on their land. In return for this, an additional Greening payment will be made. The Greening requirements cover:

  • permanent grassland
  • crop diversification
  • Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs)

The Greening requirement applies at a business level. This is the land under one Business Reference Number (BRN) – all the land your business claimed on your Single Application Form. Greening is paid in accordance with the number of eligible hectares in the region concerned in each year of application.

You may be subject to inspections throughout the year to ensure you are adopting relevant Greening practices. If you fail to meet your Greening requirements, this will result in a proportionate reduction being applied to your Greening payment. From 2017, in addition to this reduction, you may incur an administrative penalty which can be applied to your Basic Payment.

To make sure you receive the Greening payment with your basic payment, you must comply with Greening requirements. Many businesses already comply with Greening requirements as part of their normal agricultural practices.

However, it is important you read this booklet to see which Greening requirements apply to you. Greening activities will include one or more of the following:

  • protecting permanent grassland designated as environmentally sensitive grassland
  • growing a minimum number of crops
  • farming five per cent of your arable area in a manner that promotes biodiversity – known as an Ecological Focus Area (EFA)

Greening guidance (2020)