FOI/202600521387 · FOI · not held
Agricultural payment computer system queries: FOI release
Information requested
1. In terms of the computer system that deals with agricultural payments:
2. How many individuals are employed to work with this system or their job involves operating the system?
3. Of the number highlighted in (1) how many of those individuals are an IT specialist, computer programmer, or software designer?
4. Of the number highlighted in (1) how many of those individuals are specialists in agriculture or rural affairs?
Please could you provide the data noted in (1)-(3) for the past five years split into financial year?
If possible, could you only consider the system or systems which deal specifically with payments for legacy and transitional schemes.
In terms of questions (2) and (3) could you confirm how many employees, who work with this system or these systems, have a job that relates to policy making and how many have a job which relates to computer software.
Response
The Scottish Government does not hold the requested staffing information in the disaggregated format you have requested. As I explained in my previous letter, the Scottish Government does not operate a single computer system that deals with agricultural payments. Instead, the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate runs a broad collection of systems that support payment processing, regulatory functions, and data management across multiple areas, including NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, plant and bee health, livestock identification and traceability, and estate management. These systems handle applications, eligibility checks, compliance activity, payments for legacy and transitional schemes, and maintain essential land parcel, mapping, and inspection data. Together, they ensure accurate payments, effective inspections, legal compliance, and support for core corporate functions.
There is no single and specific professional role or specialist employed by the Scottish Government to work and/or operate with these systems. Staff are deployed across multiple services and functions, and workforce data is recorded and managed at a broader organisational level rather than against the specific categories requested. Staff undertake work across a range of systems and programmes and are not assigned exclusively to a single system.
Further, it is not possible to separate policy officials from the work done on and with agriculture support systems. Whilst policy officials do not routinely work on these systems they are involved in their design – to ensure they deliver the intended policy objectives. Policy officials also receive output from these systems to monitor delivery or to deal with particular matters as they arise. As a result, staffing resources cannot be attributed to individual systems. Accordingly, I am unable to provide a further breakdown of the staffing information you request.
Whilst I acknowledge the limitations of the information, we can make available to you on this occasion, I can offer contextual and additional information I hope you can find helpful. There are two business areas that play a key role in supporting the agricultural support systems, these are: the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) and the Agriculture Digital and Data Division (AD&DD) within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate of the Scottish Government.
RPID core function is the delivery of payments and associated verification as well as delivering a wide range of regulatory requirements including animal identification and traceability, plant health, bee health, environmental impact, and others. As well as managing Scottish Ministers estates including Knocknagael Bull Stud. This requires detailed technical expertise, consistent interpretation of varied and complex legislation and effective management of complex or high-risk cases, alongside robust evidence handling, record management and adherence to data protection standards. RPID also operates as the interface of policy and delivery, engaging effectively with stakeholders, industry and Ministers. Staff contribute to policy development, legislative processes and national forums, supporting clear understanding of regulatory requirements. RPID’s March 2026 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staffing complement was circa 450.
The Agriculture Digital and Data Division (AD&DD) is responsible for developing, maintaining and improving the digital systems and data services that support Scotland’s agricultural policies and rural economy. Its work also underpins cross-sectoral digital and data infrastructure supporting organisations and services beyond the agricultural sector, including Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot and Marine Scotland. The Division provides the technology and information infrastructure used to administer agricultural support schemes, manage rural payments, and enable effective data collection and analysis across the sector. It works closely with farmers, crofters, policymakers and delivery partners to ensure that digital services are reliable, secure and accessible, while using data insights to support evidence-based decision-making, environmental sustainability and economic growth. The Division also leads the modernisation of agricultural systems, helping the Scottish Government respond to policy changes, improve service delivery and make better use of digital technologies to support Scotland’s farming and rural communities. AD&DD’s March 2026 FTE staffing complement was circa 103.
These business areas work closely with the operational, policy, corporate and digital teams and taken together collectively support the delivery, maintenance, governance, and administration of the systems used.
Under section 1(3) of FOISA, if we ask you to clarify your request so that we can identify and locate the information you are looking for, we are not obliged to provide that information until you have given us the clarification we require. As such, I am unable to proceed further with your request.
However, if you wish to submit a new request which more clearly describes the information you are looking for, we would be able to consider your request and respond in accordance with FOISA. If you need any further advice and assistance to clarify your request, please contact me. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner’s ‘Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs’ on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
Under section 1(3) of FOISA, if we ask you to clarify your request so that we can identify and locate the information you are looking for, we are not obliged to provide that information until you have given us the clarification we require.
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