Small woodlands to qualify as EFA in Scotland

Farmers in Scotland who plant or have planted small areas of woodland on their holdings will soon be able to use them to meet their ecological focus areas (EFA) requirements.

The Scottish government has said it is planning to change legislation so that from November, small woodlands approved under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) since 2015 can be used as an EFA to support a farmer’s claim for greening payments.

The rules generally require farmers to put at least 5% of their calculated arable area into one or more of the seven types of EFA to be eligible for the greening element of the Basic Payment Scheme.

See also: Scots government sets out plans for future of farm support

Mairi Gougeon, rural affairs secretary, said the move would encourage farmers and other land managers to increase tree planting, providing environmental benefits including tackling climate change and nature loss.

“Forestry in Scotland is a real success story and this legislative change will mean that tree planting in small areas becomes an attractive option for farmers and crofters,” she said.

NFU Scotland welcomed the announcement, saying it was something it had been pushing for.

Jonnie Hall, director of policy, said: “NFU Scotland has always encouraged responsible planting that sees the right tree in the right place, potentially adding biodiversity, livestock shelter, amenity value and an alternative income to a farm or croft.

“Having woodland planting carried out under the SRDP since 2015 become eligible as an EFA under their greening options for support is a significant lobbying success for NFUS, and will be welcomed by many members.”

Areas planted since 1 January 2015 are eligible to be claimed as an EFA from 2023.