WIREDGOV

Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group wants to hear from tenants and landlords.

A call for evidence on tenant farming in Scotland has been issued by the Review Group set up to develop recommendations for the future of the sector.

The Scottish Government’s review of Agricultural Holdings Legislation is considering, among other issues, how to increase the number of tenancies, increase opportunities for tenant farmers and new entrants to gain access to tenanted agricultural land, and consideration of the absolute right to buy for traditional secure 1991 agricultural tenancies.

This opportunity is open to all and provides further opportunity for individuals and organisations to engage with the Review Group, in addition to the surveys being undertaken on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The Review Group, which is led by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, has set out its vision for a dynamic and successful tenant farming sector, and is inviting people with relevant experience and insights to contribute views and evidence.

Mr Lochhead said:

“To get the best from our land and the people farming it, we need a vibrant tenant farming sector and we need to be clear about what that would look like. The Review Group has now set out its vision for tenant farming in Scotland, which has eight specific characteristics.

“We’re looking at a range of issues from increasing the number of tenancies and opportunities for tenant farmers and new entrants, as well as the absolute right to buy for traditional secure 1991 agricultural tenancies.

“As well as asking for feedback on our vision, we are also seeking views on how the current situation falls short of our aspirations as this will enable us to identify action that the Scottish Government could potentially take. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible about their experiences in this field.”

Notes to editors

The Agricultural Holdings Review Group has written to National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA), Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association (SAAVA) and the Tenant Farming Forum (TFF) setting out its vision and asking for views and evidence.

More on the information the Review Group are seeking in their call for evidence: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/agricultural-holdings/review-of-legislation

The Groups have published their first monthly bulletin which can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/agricultural-holdings/review-of-legislation/Agriculture. Individuals and organisations can sign up to the electronic mailing system to stay updated on the progress of the Group by emailing: TenantFarmingReview@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

There also will be opportunities for individual farmers and landlords to speak to Review Group members at the open meetings planned for across the country, being held as part of the Group’s engagement with the industry. Further information on the locations and timing of the meetings will be provided in the Group’s March Bulletin.

The Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group’s vision for tenant farming includes the following eight characteristics:

• A range of flexible tenancy options will be available to suit diverse business needs and evolving economic circumstances.

• People, and especially new entrants to the industry, will be able to move into, through and out of the tenanted sector as their business develops.

• Business investment in the tenanted sector will be subject to equivalent flexibilities and constraints to those that characterise the owner occupied sector.

• Barriers to entry (including those arising from the CAP) will be low so that people, including new entrants, able to farm successfully and can establish and develop a business regardless of their background circumstances.

• Rent levels will reflect commercial returns from a well managed farming business using the tenanted land and associated assets in a manner that accords with the Land Use Strategy.

• The supply of tenanted land will be broadly compatible with demand at these rent levels.

• Risk will be shared between tenant and owner in a manner that encourages innovation and provides inbuilt resilience to unpredictable changes (in markets, fiscal support, etc.).

• The underlying culture will be forward looking and based on shared endeavour, mutual respect and partnership between owners and tenants.

This call for evidence is in addition to a major piece of research into tenant farming in Scotland in which surveys are being sent to tenant farmers and landlords: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Lay-of-the-land-876.aspx

The members of the Agricultural Holdings Review Group include Sir Crispin Agnew, Professor Jeff Maxwell, Barbara Brown, Iain Mackay, Hamish Lean and Andrew Thin