Who carries out the inspections? 
The Rural Payments & Inspections Directorate (RPID), which is part of the Scottish Government's Environment Portfolio.
Why do we need to inspect?
Under current European Union (EU) regulations, RPID, must carry out a number of inspections each year to confirm that conditions are being met in return for payments made under the various schemes we manage. During these inspections, we will check that:
- the details given in declarations and claims for payments are correct; and
- current legal and administrative rules are being met.
Most of our inspections will be unannounced. In some cases we may give some notice, but usually not more than 48 hours.
What do we inspect?
RPID inspectors carryout inspections for: Agri Environment & Forestry scheme, Animal Identification & traceability (cattle, sheep & goats & pigs), Bees, Cereals, Cross Compliance, Eggs & Poultry, Land Management Contract menu Scheme, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, Potatoes & Single Farm Payment Scheme
As part of SEARS initiative RPID have taken over the responsibility of carrying out a number of inspections on behalf of SEPA. These involve Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) and Diffuse pollution, disposal waste sheep dip inspections & Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel oil (SSAFO) regulation inspections.
RPID staff will also be responsible for carrying out inspections on various parts of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Further details on these inspections can be found on the SRDP website.
Where can you find out more?
In this section you will find the inspection guidance that RPID staff follow when carrying out inspections. These documents are designed for use by RPID staff, but we are now making them available to the public. However, you may find that some of the documents contain links to resources that are currently only available internally.
If you wish to find out any more information then you can contact your local RPIDarea office.
Please also see the publication - " Guidance on what farmers/crofters should expect at an inspection"