The substantive answer to question S5W-08896 'To ask the Scottish Government by what date the £180 million farm payment system will be operational and fully functioning' is as follows: The Rural Payments and Services IT system has now been operational for over two years. It has previously accepted online applications for SAF 2015, SAF 2016 and has operated successfully throughout the SAF 2017 submission window this year (which closed on May 15) - receiving online applications to anticipated levels.