Agricultural payments computerised system information: FOI release

Information requested

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 payments?

3. Please can you share any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural payments?

Response

You asked for what action has been taken in the last three months in relation to updating the computerised system which deals with agricultural payments.

The answer to your question is : Rural Payments and Services (RP&S) is the operating system for the agricultural payments and main farm subsidies i.e. application submission and processing including the Single Application Form covering Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, Young Farmer Payment, LFASS, Agri-environment Climate Scheme (annual recurrent), Rural Priorities (annual recurrent) and Forestry Grant Scheme (annual recurrent, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (mainland and islands) and Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme. Therefore we have answered your questions with reference to the Rural Payments and Services system. I have provided a separate response below for each part of the requested information.

1. I enclose a table at Annex A, setting out most of the information you requested. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and 30(c) (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex B to this letter.

2. There was not any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural payments.

3. There was not any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural payments.

ANNEX A

See Attachment

ANNEX B

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names, account codes, addresses etc. and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. Disclosing this information would substantially prejudice our ability to conduct IT updates and solutions and keep our IT systems secure. In considering this exemption we have taken account of the fact that disclosure of information under the FOISA is to “the world at large”, not just to an individual applicant. We are therefore required to consider the effect of releasing this information into the public domain. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the ability of the Scottish Government to ensure that its IT systems operate safely and securely, as well as to protect our networks and information, which is critical to ensure that the Scottish Government is able conduct this aspect of its business effectively.

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.

FOI 202500495822 - Information released - Annex A

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