Local agricultural offices are under three EU audits, according to information obtained by Farmers Journal Scotland. The European Commission is looking at how Scotland administers area-based support schemes, entitlements and cross-compliance.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These audits are all at different stages, but involve a combination of field visits by auditors and review of RPID systems, policies and processes. The primary purpose is to assess whether a paying agency is complying with relevant regulatory requirements and to examine the effectiveness of the organisation’s administrative controls.”

The Commission can impose financial penalties.