The Basic Payment Scheme replaced the Single Payment Scheme from 2015 and includes ‘greening’ rules, such as the requirement for 'Ecological Focus Areas' on farms with more than 15 ha (37 acres) of arable land.

The BPS requires an annual claim form identifying land usage across each farm and the location of ecological focus areas. It is critical to understand how the BPS relates and overlies any environmental scheme in place before any submissions are made as this could affect payments and eligibility.