Guidance
Table 2: ELS, OELS and UELS options and equivalent CS options
Updated 10 July 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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Use this table to find out the ELS, OELS and UELS options and their equivalent CS options.
Compulsory requirements for upland management
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UX1 | Moorland commons and share grazing requirements | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UX2/UOX2 | Upland grassland and arable requirements | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UX3/UOX3 | Moorland requirements | None | No equivalent CS Option available |
Compulsory requirements
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA1/OA1 | Farm Environment Record | None | No equivalent CS Option available |
Basic Payment for organic management
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OU1 | Organic management | OT1 | Organic land management - improved permanent grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OU1 | Organic management | OT2 | Organic land management - unimproved permanent grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OU1 | Organic management | OT3 | Organic land management - rotational land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OU1 | Organic management | OT4 | Organic land management - horticulture | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OU1 | Organic management | OT5 | Organic land management - top fruit | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OU1 | Organic management | OT6 | Organic land management - enclosed rough grazing | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for boundary features
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB1/OB1 | Hedgerow management for landscape (on both sides of hedge) | BE3 | Management of hedgerows | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB2/OB2 | Hedgerow management for landscape (on one side of a hedge) | BE3 | Management of hedgerows | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB3/OB3 | Hedgerow management for landscape and wildlife | BE3 | Management of hedgerows | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB4/UB4/UOB4 | Stone-faced hedgebank management on both sides on or above the Moorland Line | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EB5/OB5 | Stone-faced hedgebank management on one side | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| UB5 | Stone-faced hedgebank management on one side on or above the Moorland Line | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EB6/OB6 | Ditch Management | WT3 | Management of ditches of high environmental value | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB7/OB7 | Half ditch management | WT3 | Management of ditches of high environmental value | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB8/OB8 | Combined hedge and ditch management (incorporating EB1/OB1) | WT3 | Management of ditches of high environmental value | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB9/OB9 | Combined hedge and ditch management (incorporating EB2/OB2) | WT3 | Management of ditches of high environmental value | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB10/OB10 | Combined hedge and ditch management (incorporating EB3/OB3) | WT3 | Management of ditches of high environmental value | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EB11/OB11 | Stone wall protection and maintenance | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| UB11/UOB11 | Stone wall protection and maintenance on or above the Moorland Line | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EB12/OB12 | Earth bank management on both sides | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| UB12 | Earth bank management on both sides on or above the Moorland Line | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EB13/OB13 | Earth bank management on one side | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| UB13 | Earth bank management on one side on or above the Moorland Line | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EB14/OB14/UB14/UOB14 | Hedgerow restoration | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UB15 | Stone-faced hedgebank restoration | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UB16 | Earth bank restoration | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UB17/UOB17 | Stone wall restoration | None | No equivalent CS Option available |
Options for trees and woodland
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OC1 | Protection of in-field trees on rotational land | BE1 | Protection of in-field trees on arable land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EC1 | Protection of in-field trees on arable land | BE1 | Protection of in-field trees on arable land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OC2 | Protection of in-field trees on organic grassland | BE2 | Protection of in-field trees on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EC2 | Protection of in-field trees on grassland | BE2 | Protection of in-field trees on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EC3 | Maintenance of woodland fences | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EC4/OC4 | Management of woodland edges | WD3 | Woodland edges on arable land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UC5 | Sheep fencing around small woodlands | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available |
Orchard options
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC22 | Woodland livestock exclusion | WD2 | Woodland Improvement | Higher Tier only |
| EC23 | Establishment of hedgerow trees by tagging | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| OC24 | Hedgerow tree buffer strips on rotational land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EC24 | Hedgerow tree buffer strips on cultivated land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OC25 | Hedgerow tree buffer strips on organic grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EC25 | Hedgerow tree buffer strips on grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for historic and landscape features
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ED1/OD1 | Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings | HS1 | Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OD2 | Take out of cultivation archaeological features that are currently on rotational land | HS2 | Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ED2 | Take out of cultivation archaeological features that are currently on cultivated land | HS2 | Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ED3/OD3 | Reduced-depth, non-inversion cultivation on archaeological features (minimum till) | HS3 | Reduced-depth, non-inversion cultivation on historic and archaeological features | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ED4/OD4 | Management of scrub on archaeological features | HS4 | Scrub control on historic and archaeological features | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ED5/OD5 | Management of archaeological features on grassland | HS5 | Management of historic and archaeological features on grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UD12 | Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings in remote locations | HS8 | Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings in remote locations | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UD13/UOD13 | Maintaining visibility of archaeological features on moorland | None | No equivalent CS Option available |
Options for buffer strips and field margins
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OE1 | 2m buffer strips on rotational land | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EE1 | 2m buffer strips on cultivated land | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| OE2 | 4m buffer strips on rotational land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE2 | 4m buffer strips on cultivated land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE3 | 6m buffer strips on rotational land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE3 | 6m buffer strips on cultivated land | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE4 | 2m buffer strips on organic grassland | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EE4 | 2m buffer strips on intensive grassland | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| OE5 | 4m buffer strips on organic grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE5 | 4m buffer strips on intensive grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE6 | 6m buffer strips on organic grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE6 | 6m buffer strips on intensive grassland | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE7 | Buffering in-field ponds in organic grassland | WT1 | Buffering in-field ponds and ditches in improved grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE7 | Buffering in-field ponds in improved permanent grassland | WT1 | Buffering in-field ponds and ditches in improved grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE8 | Buffering in-field ponds in rotational land | WT2 | Buffering in-field ponds and ditches on arable land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE8 | Buffering in-field ponds in arable land | WT2 | Buffering in-field ponds and ditches on arable land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE9 | 6m buffer strips on rotational land next to a watercourse | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE9 | 6m buffer strips on cultivated land next to a watercourse | SW1 | 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OE10 | 6m buffer strips on organic grassland next to a watercourse | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE10 | 6m buffer strips on intensive grassland next to a watercourse | SW2 | 4-6m buffer strip on intensive grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EE12/OE12 | Supplement to add wildflowers to field corners and buffer strips on cultivated land | AB8 | Flower-rich margins and plots | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for arable and rotational land
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1/OF1 | Management of field corners | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EF2 | Wild bird seed mixture | AB9 | Winter bird food | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OF2 | Wild bird seed mixture | OP2 | Wild bird seed mixture | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF4 | Nectar flower mixture | AB1 | Nectar flower mixture | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OF4 | Nectar flower mixture | OP4 | Multi Species Ley | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF6 | Overwintered stubble | AB2 | Basic overwinter stubble | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OF6 | Overwintered stubble | OP1 | Overwintered stubble | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF7/OF7 | Beetle banks | AB3 | Beetle banks | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF8/OF8 | Skylark plots | AB4 | Skylark plots | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF9 | Cereal headlands for birds | AB10 | Unharvested cereal headland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF10 | Unharvested cereal headlands for birds and rare arable plants | AB10 | Unharvested cereal headland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF11 | Uncropped cultivated margins for rare plants | AB11 | Cultivated areas for arable plants | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF13 | Uncropped cultivated areas for ground-nesting birds on arable land | AB5 | Nesting plots for Lapwing and Stone Curlew | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OF13 | Uncropped cultivated areas for ground-nesting birds | AB5 | Nesting plots for Lapwing and Stone Curlew | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF15 | Reduced herbicide cereal crops followed by overwintered stubble | AB14 | Harvested low input cereal | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF22 | Extended overwintered stubble | AB6 | Enhanced overwinter stubble | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EF23 | Supplementary feeding in winter for farmland birds | AB12 | Supplementary winter feeding for farmland birds | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OF23 | Supplementary feeding in winter for farmland birds | OP3 | Supplementary feeding for farmland birds | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options to encourage a range of crop type
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG1/OG1 | Undersown spring cereals | OP5 | Undersown cereal | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EG2/OG2 | Wild bird seed mixture in grassland areas | AB9 | Winter bird food | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EG4/OG4 | Cereals for whole-crop silage followed by overwintered stubbles | AB7 | Whole crop cereals | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options to protect soil and water
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EJ2 | Management of maize crops to reduce soil erosion | SW5 | Enhanced management of maize crops | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UJ3 | Post and wire fencing along watercourses | None | No equivalent CS revenue option available | |
| EJ5/OJ5 | In-field grass areas to prevent erosion or run-off | SW3 | In-field grass strips | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OJ9 | 12m buffer strips for water courses on rotational land | SW4 | 12-24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EJ9 | 12m buffer strips for water courses on cultivated land | SW4 | 12-24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EJ10 | Enhanced management of maize crops to reduce soil erosion and run-off | SW5 | Enhanced management of maize crops | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EJ11/OJ11 | Maintenance of watercourse fencing | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UJ12/UOJ12 | Winter livestock removal next to streams, rivers and lakes | SW10 | Seasonal livestock removal on grassland in SDAs next to streams, rivers and lakes. | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EJ13/OJ13 | Winter cover crops | SW6 | Winter cover crops | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for grassland outside the Severely Disadvantaged Areas (SDAs) and the Moorland Line
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EK1/OK1 | Take field corners out of management outside the SDA (of the Less Favoured Area - LFA) and the Moorland Line | GS1 | Take field corners out of management | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EK2/OK2 | Permanent grassland with low inputs [outside the SDA (of the LFA) and the Moorland Line] | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EK3/OK3 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs outside the SDA (of the LFA) and the Moorland Line | GS2 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDAs) | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EK4/OK4 | Management of rush pastures outside the SDA (of the LFA) and the Moorland Line | GS2 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDAs) | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for grassland
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EK5/OK5 | Mixed stocking | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EK21 | Legume and herb-rich swards | GS4 | Legume and herb-rich swards | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| OK21 | Legume and herb-rich swards | OP4 | Multi species ley | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Options for SDAs, including Moorland Line land
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL1 | Take field corners out of management in SDAs (SDA, excluding parcels within the Moorland Line) | GS1 | Take field corners out of management | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EL2/OL2 | Permanent grassland with low inputs in SDAs [(SDA land, excluding parcels within the Moorland Line)] | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| EL3/OL3 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs [(SDA land, excluding parcels within the Moorland Line)] | GS5 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EL4/OL4 | Management of rush pastures in SDAs [(SDA land within the LFA and Moorland Line parcels under 15ha)] | GS5 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EL5/OL5 | Enclosed rough grazing [(SDA land within the LFA and Moorland Line parcels under 15ha)] | UP1 | Enclosed rough grazing | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| EL6 | Unenclosed moorland rough grazing [(Moorland Line land only)] | UP3 | Management of moorland | Higher Tier only |
| UL17/UOL17 | No supplementary feeding on moorland | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UL18/UOL18 | Cattle grazing on upland grassland and moorland | SP6 | Cattle grazing supplement | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UL20/UOL20 | Haymaking | GS15 | Haymaking supplement | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UL21/UOL21 | No cutting strip within meadows | None | No equivalent CS Option available | |
| UL22/UOL22 | Management of enclosed rough grazing for birds | UP2 | Management of rough grazing for birds | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| UL23/UOL23 | Management of upland grassland for birds | GS5 | Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
Additional supplements
| ELS / OELS / UELS Option | Description | CS option | Description | Higher Tier or Mid Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILC | Improved land conversion payment | OR1 | Organic conversion - improved permanent grassland | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ILC | Improved land conversion payment | OR3 | Organic conversion – rotational land | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| ILC | Improved land conversion payment | OR4 | Organic conversion – horticulture | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |
| TFC | Top fruit orchards conversion payment | OR5 | Organic conversion – top fruit | Higher Tier and Mid Tier |