Scottish Government FOI Index

9,099releases indexed

14,350attachments found

27.1avg calendar days

3,606partially withheld

2024-01-12oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 3,606 unclear 2,485 not held 1,406 released 651 already published 356 cost limit 328 clarification 139 withheld 100 transferred 28

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2389 s.20 1874 s.34(1) 1798 s.39(2) 1572 s.30 1471 s.17(1) 1236 s.25(1) 1126 s.10(4) 972 s.11(2) 785 s.29(1) 618 s.2 546 s.3 411

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 578 releases · 27.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 547 releases · 28.5 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 357 releases · 27.2 avg days Marine Directorate 352 releases · 26.7 avg days Population Health Directorate 350 releases · 25.4 avg days People Directorate 287 releases · 24.0 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 270 releases · 31.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 267 releases · 38.8 avg days

Clear

244 matching releases

Greyhound race track query: EIR release

1. How many greyhound racing tracks are currently operating in Scotland? 2. How many greyhound races have been held in Scotland since one year ago from today's date? 3. How many greyhounds have been injured during the above timescale?

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: EIR/202600504318
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Agricultural holdings data for Sanday, Orkney: EIR release

I am seeking non-personal, anonymised agricultural holdings data for Sanday, Orkney, specifically: 1. Number of agricultural holdings Please provide the total number of registered agricultural holdings on Sanday that have: a CPH (County Parish Holding) number, and/or are registered as an agricultural business for th...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 9 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: EIR/202600503853
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Information relating to the collection procedure of dead wild birds reported by the public: EIR release

[Contractors tasked with collection of dead, wild birds reported by the public] It would be very helpful if you could provide me with the details listed below to allow me and others in the industry assess whether the collection procedure, in our opinion, is adequate. The methodology for determining how many birds shou...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 0 working days correspondence contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-05-07
Reference: FOI/202500498227
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

River Isla watershed information: EIR release

1. Number of registered holdings (farms). 2. Number of LFA (Less favoured area) holdings. 3. Total area of land held within the total holdings (Ha). 4. Total area of land held within the LFA holdings (Ha). 5. Maximum and Mean area of land per holding (Ha).

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence s.3

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: EIR/202500499557
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity correspondence relating to ‘greening’ and Scotland’s islands: EIR release

1. Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie relating to ‘greening’ since January 2025. 2. Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie relating to ‘greening’ since January 2025. 3. Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie relating specifically to greening and Scotland’s islands since January 2025. 4. Any correspondence sent...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4)E

Published: 2026-05-05
Reference: EIR/202600501542
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Cattle and sheep data in Scotland: EIR release

1. Cattle population by geography and breed For cattle in Scotland, please provide: 1. The number of cattle, broken down by: The most granular geographical level that can be released, ideally: Local authority (council area) level; and Any more granular standard geography used internally (e.g. data zone, parish, or o...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-04-30
Reference: EIR/202600510087
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Documents regarding meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, and representatives of Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited: EIR release

Copies of any minutes, notes, briefings, correspondence, or other records relating to the meeting held on 9 October 2022 between Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, and representatives of Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, facilitated by Cavendish Consulting, which took place at the NFUS. 1. ...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.1 s.6(1) s.11(2) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: EIR/202600509011
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Correspondence sent to The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity on gene editing in agriculture: EIR release

(1) Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie on gene editing in agriculture within the last six months. (2) Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie on gene editing in agriculture within the last six months. (3) Any briefing prepared for Jim Fairlie on the topic of gene editing in agriculture within the last six months...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.10(4) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-24
Reference: FOI/202600507648
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Payments, grants, subsidies, agricultural support, or financial assistance made to Islay Estates: EIR release

Please provide details of any payments, grants, subsidies, agricultural support, or other financial assistance made between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2025 through the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), or any successor body, to: “Islay Estates”, and/or any legal entity trading as, commonly known as, ...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-04-23
Reference: FOI/202600507900
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity meeting minutes: FOI release

The minutes of the meeting held with Mr Jim Fairlie (Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity) and with Jamie Halcro-Johnston (MSP), yourself and fellow Orkney Farmer, William Harvey held on the morning of Tuesday, 13th January, 2026, in which Tim Eagle was briefly present.

FOI unclear 80 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-22
Reference: FOI/202600507410
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Meetings and correspondence from the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity on the Future Farm Investment Scheme: EIR release

(1) Correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie on the Future Farm Investment Scheme within the last month. (2) Correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie on the Future Farm Investment Scheme within the last month. (3) Minutes of any meeting Jim Fairlie has had on the Future Farm Investment Scheme within the last month

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600504016
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Food labelling correspondence and meeting minutes: FOI release

(1) Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie or Mairi Gougeon within the last six months on food labelling in Scotland. (2) Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie or Mairi Gougeon within the last six months on food labelling in Scotland. (3) Any meeting minutes from a meeting held by Jim Fairlie or Mairi Gougeon, wit...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505307
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Queries regarding the Future Farm Investment Scheme: EIR release

(1) In terms of the second round of the Future Farm Investment Scheme recently announced please can you confirm: (a) When the application period will begin? (b) What part of the Scottish Government's 2026-27 budget this funding comes from? (c) Whether the application conditions will be the same as the first round or...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505931
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Gene editing documentation: EIR release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about gene editing, from the last three months.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-04-13
Reference: EIR/202500478725
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity correspondence regarding Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill: EIR release

1. Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie on the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill. 2. Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie on the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-07
Reference: EIR/202600505231
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Number of applicants to the Future Farming Investment Scheme: EIR release

I am writing to request a breakdown of the number of applicants to the Future Farming Investment Scheme by postcode sector (e.g., IV1 1, IV1 2, etc). If a specific postcode sector contains so few successful applicants that they could be reasonably identified, please revise this information to be shared by Council Ward....

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-01
Reference: FOI/202600503599
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Good Food Nation Plan (Scotland) Act 2022: FOI release

You asked for: 1. Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie or Mairi Gougeon relating to the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 in the last year. 2. Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie or Mairi Gougeon relating to the Good Food Nation Plan in the last year. 3. Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie or Mairi Goug...

FOI clarification 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.20 10 attachments

Published: 2026-03-10
Reference: FOI/202500498540
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Agricultural holdings data for Papa Westray: EIR release

I am seeking non-personal, anonymised agricultural holdings data for Papa Westray, Orkney, specifically: 1. Number of agricultural holdings Please provide the total number of registered agricultural holdings on Papa Westray that have: a CPH (County Parish Holding) number, and/or are registered as an agricultural busi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 4 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.11 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-09
Reference: EIR/202600502797
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) data: EIR release

Data regarding the 2023, 2024 and 2025 scheme years for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS). For each of 2023, 2024 and 2025 scheme years, please provide the following information, broken down by claim value bands (e.g., £0–£10k, £10k–£50k, £50k–£100k, and £100k+): 1. Payment...

FOI/EIR cost limit 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-02
Reference: EIR/202500498801
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) data: EIR release

Please provide a list of all recipients of grant aid under the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) for the 2025 funding round who are located within Dumfries and Galloway. For each recipient, please provide: name of business or individual applicant farm/business address or locality amount of grant awarded project...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 7 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-03-02
Reference: EIR/202600500681
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Scottish Government Rural Payments and Services website "Essential Maintenance" queries: FOI release

The following information in relation to this "Essential Maintenance" is requested under the Freedom of Information Act : 1. A high level summary of the essential maintenance being carried out. 2. Reasons why two weeks (which includes six standard business days) are necessary to perform this essential maintenance. 3...

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.5 s.6 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-02
Reference: FOI/202500498674
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Sustainable farming incentive documentation: EIR release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about sustainable farming incentive, from the last six months.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: EIR/202500495815
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Agricultural payments computerised system information: FOI release

1. Could you outline what action has been taken in the last three months in relation to updating the computerised system which deals with agricultural payments? 2. Please can you share any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural pay...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings spending s.38(1) s.3 s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495822
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Future Farming Investment Scheme correspondence regarding the assessment of common grazing land: EIR release

A copy of all correspondence, including but not limited to emails, letters, briefing notes and meeting minutes, between 23 October and 19 November on how common grazing land was assessed in the Future Farming Investment Scheme.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11 4 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: EIR/202500494702
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Derogation from Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) contracts: EIR release

You asked for ‘information and correspondence involving the Scottish Government and its agencies relating to decisions to allow a derogation from Agri-Environment Climate Scheme contracts on the Western Isles to allow early cutting of grass crops that would otherwise not have been allowed (for the ostensive purpose of ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 7 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: EIR/202500497647
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector