Scottish Ministers have signed off changes that shift more farmed land into nature-friendly management. From 1 January 2027, the minimum Ecological Focus Area (EFA) on eligible holdings rises from 5% to 7%, with four fresh options added: low‑input grassland, herb and legume‑rich pasture, unharvested crop, and low‑density woodland planting. Field margins counted as EFAs also widen from 1 metre to 3 metres. The regulations also remove long‑standing exemptions that let some larger arable businesses avoid EFA rules. There are practical adjustments too. Green cover must now be sown by 1 November, and previous bans on harvesting catch crops and green cover before 31 December are lifted. More crop species join the approved lists for green cover and nitrogen‑fixing options. For beef producers, the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme gets a small‑herd derogation from 1 January 2026 and an extended application deadline to 14 January each year.

Why this matters for nature is straightforward. NatureScot reports the UK has lost about 97% of species‑rich grasslands, and in Scotland these now account for only around 2% of agricultural grassland. Expanding EFAs, and broadening what counts, increases room for wildflowers, insects and birds while keeping productive farming in play.

Mapping becomes part of the job rather than extra paperwork. Farmers must prepare and keep an EFA map and supply it to officials on request; it no longer needs to go in with the Single Application Form. The map can sit alongside the habitats map created for the Whole Farm Plan introduced earlier in 2025, bringing compliance and biodiversity planning into one place.

The new options suit mixed systems and pure arable alike. Low‑input grassland protects soil and water while providing pollen and nectar. Herb and legume‑rich swards bring diversity back into improved pasture. Leaving unharvested headlands supplies winter seed and cover, and low‑density tree planting creates shelter belts and wildlife corridors without taking large blocks out of production. Government advisory notes highlight these benefits and explain how to position each option on the ground.

There is solid evidence that modest habitat set‑asides pay back in pest control and pollination. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology trials found that wildflower margins and over‑winter cover crops supported more earthworms, pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests, helping farm resilience. A University of Reading study in commercial orchards showed mature flower margins cut aphid damage on nearby trees by more than a third, reducing reliance on sprays.

For birds, unharvested headlands, winter stubbles and diverse margins are lifelines. Scottish government guidance and advisory services show these habitats provide vital winter seed and spring insects for species such as yellowhammer, skylark and corn bunting; RSPB advice aligns, recommending conservation headlands and later spraying to keep chick food in the system.

Legume‑rich pasture is not just good for bees; it can trim input bills and emissions. AHDB guidance notes that grass‑clover leys with roughly 30–40% clover can match the yield of grass‑only swards receiving about 180 kg N/ha, cutting nitrous oxide from fertiliser use and easing exposure to volatile prices. That sits neatly with the new EFA herb‑and‑legume option.

Trees on farms bring shade, shelter and biodiversity, which is why low‑density woodland planting now counts towards EFAs. Forest Research stresses agroforestry’s benefits for wildlife, microclimate and carbon, while also noting that soil carbon responses vary by site and system-so design and light soil disturbance at planting are important. In practice, hedgerows, shelterbelts and spaced parkland trees often deliver the gains with limited trade‑offs.

What should farm businesses do now? First, plan 2026 cropping and grazing with 2027’s 7% target in mind. Second, draft your EFA map early and keep it with your Whole Farm Plan paperwork, so field teams and advisers can work from the same page. Third, line up seed for legume‑rich swards and confirm green‑cover dates; the 1 November deadline is earlier than some growers are used to. Finally, decide where 3‑metre margins will deliver most value for pollinators and water.

On a 200‑hectare arable unit, moving from 5% to 7% EFAs means finding an extra 4 hectares. Many will mix options: a couple of hectares of herb‑ and legume‑rich pasture to build fertility, several kilometres of 3‑metre margins along problem edges for pollinators and runoff control, and some unharvested headland on the hungriest bird fields. It is a pragmatic blend that supports yields, biodiversity and compliance without sacrificing core production.