Survey on online services

Farmers around the country have been asked to take part in the Scottish Government rural payment and inspections division’s customer satisfaction survey – with the aim of improving the online services offered to producers.

The organisation is keen to increase the uptake of its online services - and in a letter to farmers, chief agricultural officer Drew Sloane said that responses to the questionnaire would help improve these facilities in the future:

“We are currently undergoing a significant programme of work to update our online system for rural payments and inspections to deliver common agricultural policy reform and further enhance our service to farmers, crofters and other rural customers. To help with this process, we have commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake a telephone and online survey of our customers.”

He said that the survey focused on farmers’ experiences of both making claims and accessing information and services available on rural payments and inspections. It also asked whether farmers want additional options – such as the ability to change field boundaries and to make other mapping adjustments online.

In 2013 almost 60 per cent of SAF applications were made on-line in Scotland.

BRIAN HENDERSON