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Mar 1 2018

STFA CALLS FOR WIDER INVESTIGATION INTO BUCCLEUCH ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

1st March 2018

 

STFA CALLS FOR WIDER INVESTIGATION INTO BUCCLEUCH ESTATE MANAGEMENT

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has said that although Buccleuch’s announcement that it has asked the Tenant Farming Commissioner to examine its negotiations with agricultural tenants over farm leases is welcome, it has shown a complete lack of understanding of the issues which were so vociferously aired at a packed meeting in Langholm earlier this week.

The meeting had been called to discuss Buccleuch’s forestry proposals on the Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate but the strength of feeling in the local community about the management of the estate and its treatment of its farming tenants soon became clear and the Duke himself, his CEO John Glen and their factoring team came in for harsh criticism.

Speaking after the meeting STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson, who had attended the meeting said; “What was so extraordinary about this meeting was not just the strength of feeling in the local community, or the spectre of the Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell lambasting the Duke of Buccleuch, but the fact that the Duke and his management team didn’t seem to be in tune with the changing culture developing in rural Scotland, that local communities now expect to be involved in decisions affecting the land about them. The meeting concluded with the Duke’s insistence that although matters would be handled differently, he had no intention of backing away from his tree planting and other land diversification plans.

“This was a remarkable demonstration of local democracy and those present did not hold back in expressing their deep concerns about the management of the Estate and the lack of consultation over major changes of land use, especially where it is resulting in tenants losing their farms. Tenant farmers’ concerns were well articulated at the meeting, but the lack of tenant farmers speaking out was noticeable, a symptom of their reluctance to put their heads above the parapet for fear of repercussions.

The Duke of Buccleuch has to be congratulated in appearing at the meeting in person rather than hiding behind his team of factors, which is so often the case. However, he has to realise that times are changing in Scotland and landowners are far more accountable than in the past and local communities as well as those who live and work on his estates have to be consulted and their views taken into account in management plans.

“STFA would welcome the prospect of the Tenant Farming Commissioner looking into the accusations against Buccleuch voiced at the meeting and would encourage tenants to speak to him in confidence about their concerns. However, allegations of bullying and intimidation as well as failure to follow industry codes, while important, are symptomatic of a more general failure to recognise the changing culture developing in rural Scotland. Local communities now expect to be involved in decisions affecting the land about them and the general attitude of profit before people, which is all too often the hallmark of estate management, has no place in rural Scotland. Consequently, we would urge the TFC not to restrict his investigations to Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate, but to conduct a wider survey how Buccleuch Estates are managed and its relationships with tenants and communities over its wider landholdings”.

 

 

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NEW LAND FOR NEW FARMERS WELCOMED BY STFA

Feb 26 2018

NEW LAND FOR NEW FARMERS WELCOMED BY STFA

IMGP0097Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 26th February 2018

NEW LAND FOR NEW FARMERS WELCOMED BY STFA

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that over 1,000 hectares of public land is to be made available to new farmers to attract people to farming. Forestry Enterprise Scotland, Scottish Water, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils will all release land across Scotland this spring sufficient for around 50 new farmers.  This initiative has sprung from the work of the New Starter Farm Group established by Richard Lochhead and continued by the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants group under Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing.

Commenting on the initiative STFA director Angus McCall said: “Access to land is the single most inhibiting factor for aspiring new entrants to agriculture and it is great news that, through these public bodies, the Scottish Government has found 1,000 ha of land that could be made available to new entrants. We understand that these are parcels of land, spread throughout Scotland, which could support part-time farming enterprises.  Most of this land will be Forest Enterprise land which has not been planted under trees, rather than fully equipped farms.  This represents the first rung of the farming ladder where enthusiastic new entrants can start from scratch with a small flock of sheep on 50 acres of grazing in Perth-shire or growing vegetables on a couple of acres in East Lothian before making a longer-term commitment to taking on a rented farm.

“Farming opportunities are scarce at present with very little land available to rent, which will be of concern to new entrants in 10 year starter farms, the first of whom will be looking for the next rung on the farming ladder in just over 4 years time. However, this may all change post Brexit with falling farm incomes and a stricter support regime which may well stimulate the letting market as the prospects for landowners to draw down subsidy payments simply for owning land disappear.

 

“Downturns in agriculture, while difficult for existing farmers, often represent opportunities for new entrants, especially if their livelihood is not dependent on earnings from farming. This government initiative is timely in allowing new farmers to be in place so they can take advantage of any openings as they appear”.

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STFA CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMES BUCCLEUCH DECISION TO SELL FARMS TO TENANTS

Feb 15 2018

STFA CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMES BUCCLEUCH DECISION TO SELL FARMS TO TENANTS

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 15th February 2018

STFA CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMES BUCCLEUCH DECISION TO SELL FARMS TO TENANTS

Land Reform took a major step forward today with the announcement by Scotland’s largest landowner, Buccleuch Estates, that it is to offer 24 tenants on secure tenancies the opportunity to buy their farms. The surprise news has come in the wake of intense local controversy surrounding the management of tenanted farms in the Langholm area, particularly over plans to replace tenants with trees.

Buccleuch CEO, John Glen, has said the Estate has initiated discussions with 11 tenants who have officially registered an interest in buying their farms, or indicated an interest to do so, on the Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate. Letters have been sent today to the remaining 13 tenants on secure tenancies offering the opportunity to meet with the Estate Manager so that we may understand future aspirations.

Responding to the news STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson said; “Buccleuch’s announcement has come out of the blue and represents a tremendous opportunity for the tenants who are being given the chance to buy their farms. Most tenants on secure tenancies will have invested heavily in their farms over the generations and this investment must be reflected in the purchase price of the farms which should be subject of a tenanted discount.  If Buccleuch are serious in their intentions to sell, we would expect independent and transparent valuations and a willingness to negotiate a realistic purchase price.

Unlike the Limited Partnership tenants who are faced with decision to buy their farms at open market value or quit, the secure tenants have the comfort of the option to continue as secure tenants if they decide not to purchase.

“This will also be good news for the local community who have been concerned at moves to replace tenant farmers with forestry on Buccleuch Estate farms. Although these tenancies are held under security of tenure, they are still vulnerable to bits being resumed for tree planting or other non-agricultural use.  Furthermore, landlords have traditionally been reluctant to invest in tenanted farms and ownership will give the tenants the confidence and ability to develop, invest and broaden the scope of their businesses to the long-term benefit of the community.

“Increasing the diversity of landownership in Scotland has been a longstanding ambition of the Scottish Government and selling farms to sitting secure tenants is a step in the right direction. STFA would welcome similar proposals in other parts of Scotland where initiative and investment is still being stifled by a monopoly of landownership.

“Concerns have been expressed about the shrinkage of the tenanted sector, however, farms sold to sitting secure tenants are unlikely to become vacant in the foreseeable future and these sales should not have an adverse impact on the tenanted sector.

“Whilst this news is welcome, discussions with tenants are in their infancy and it remains to see how far this is a serious intention to reorganise Buccleuch’s landholdings and how much is a public relations exercise to ward off criticism. The answer will become evident when the money is on the table and the agricultural community will be watching with interest.

 

 

 

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LANDLORD CHIEF DEMANDS EXCESSIVE RENTS FROM TENANTS

Feb 15 2018

LANDLORD CHIEF DEMANDS EXCESSIVE RENTS FROM TENANTS

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 14th February 2018

 LANDLORD CHIEF DEMANDS EXCESSIVE RENTS FROM TENANTS

 The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association is concerned to hear that one of Scotland’s foremost landowners is demanding excessive rent rises from his farming tenants, contradicting industry agreements which limited the amount by which rents should be increased.

David Johnstone, laird of Annandale Estates and Chairman of Scottish Land and Estates recently announced on the SL&E website that he was conducting a review of the rents on his tenanted farms. He also said that: “Rent reviews invariably attract debate and commentary and, given my position as chairman of Scottish Land and Estates, I felt it right that the estate should be transparent in that it is conducting its own rent reviews.”

It has now emerged that, although the rent reviews are at an early stage, Lord Johnstone’s opening bid is for rent increases of between 20% and 40%, despite rents having been reviewed a mere 4 years ago.

The joint industry guidance, agreed by SL&E, NFUS and STFA in 2015, set out a framework aimed at minimising any risk to the industry that might arise from conflict around rent increases for tenanted farms. The basis of this framework rested on a systematic and transparent process incorporating an additional sense test based on published data for UK inflation.  Although not compulsory, rent reviews conducted over the last few years have largely relied on this methodology to agree rents.

Commenting on the situation STFA Director Angus McCall said: “Regular rent reviews are a healthy feature of good landlord/tenant relationships and are to be encouraged. They allow rents to be adjusted up or down according to circumstances and avoid the disruptions to business that come with irregular and large changes in rent and which the industry guidelines sought to achieve.

“STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson has been in contact with tenants on the estate and monitoring this rent review from the start. He has already expressed concerns to David Johnstone and Bob McIntosh, the Tenant Farming Commissioner, regarding the scale of the proposed rent increases and the lack of transparent evidence which would justify such an increase, or indeed any increase at all.  If the factoring agents had followed industry guidelines and had been able to justify an increase in rent it would have been limited to no more than the rate of inflation since the last rent review.  This would in practice be 6-7% over the last 4 years and in common with many other reviews these rent reviews would have taken place without any fuss and kept rents in line with comparable farms in the neighbourhood.

“The Tenant Farming Commissioner is being kept informed of the situation so it is anticipated that the rent review will now be conducted in an open and transparent manner according to the established industry guidelines. Tactics of the past must not be used to force an unreasonable rent rise in advance of the new rent test which will deliver fairer rents based on the productive capacity of the holding.”

 

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LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW CODE ON FIXED EQUIPMENT

Feb 15 2018

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW CODE ON FIXED EQUIPMENT

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 24th January 2018

 LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW CODE ON FIXED EQUIPMENT

 The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the latest Code of Practice on the Maintenance of the Condition of Tenanted Agricultural Holdings which will help address the state of farm fixed equipment, so often a cause of disputes between landlords and tenants. This Code has been issued by the Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh, as a result of visiting farms and seeing the problems first hand.

Commenting on the latest Code of Practice STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson said; ‘Responsibility for fixed equipment on tenanted holdings is usually a joint one between landlord and tenant. The division of obligations between landlord and tenant can be a grey area depending on the terms of the lease.  Many tenants have had difficulty persuading their landlords to carry out renewals where needed since the only remedies available to tenants have involved applications to the Land Court to withhold rent.  The costs of such remedies are difficult to justify, and this latest Code of Practice will provide both landlords and tenants with a cost effective means of ensuring that maintenance obligations are met by both parties.

‘With many areas of Scotland experiencing extreme weather patterns, farm outputs and efficiency are becoming increasingly dependent on adequate levels of well-maintained fixed equipment, and it is clearly in the public interest to ensure that farm infrastructure in the tenanted sector can compete with the owner occupied sector. The timing of the publication of this Code of Practice sits well with a recent article in the Scottish Farmer titled ‘Safeguarding the future of farming infrastructure’ where CKD Galbraith partner, Robert Taylor, points out the difficulties faced by tenant farmers in financing necessary fixed equipment.  He goes on to say that sympathy is needed from landlords if tenants are to survive poor financial years and that landlords’ expectations of ever increasing rents may not be achievable.

‘STFA urge the sector as a whole, both landlords and tenants, to recognise the increasing need for modern and adequate fixed equipment. We hope that the sentiment expressed by Robert Taylor is adopted by other agents currently engaged in reviewing fixed equipment and the setting of farm rents.’

 

 

 

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Feb 15 2018

Tenants welcome progress on development of new rent test

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 30th January 2018

 

Tenants welcome progress on development of new rent test

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the publication by the Scottish Government of its report ‘Testing of the Rent Review System’. The report models the new productive capacity rent test contained in the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2016 and has been produced by Savills with input from agricultural solicitor Hamish Lean and land consultant Watson Bell.

Commenting on the publication of the report STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson said; ‘STFA welcomes the progress being made towards implementing a new productive capacity rent test to replace the current flawed test based on the open market. We have been campaigning for over a decade for the replacement of the open market test which has become increasingly unworkable and has always acted against tenant’s interests due to the land market’s inherent imbalance in supply and demand.

‘The failures of the open market rent test have been amply demonstrated this year with rent demands from landlords seeking unjustifiable and unsustainable rent increases well in excess of inflation at a time when support payments are falling and commodity markets face uncertainty due to Brexit. The new productive capacity test should allow rents to follow farm incomes and profitability as has been the case in England and Wales for over 30 years since the replacement of their open market rent test in the 1980s.

‘This report shows that a rent test based on the physical output of the holding using only the land and fixed equipment provided by the landlord can be used to set a fair rent with transparent methodology. We believe that the report is heading in the right direction but there is still much work to do on the details and the success of the new rent test will be dependent on getting everything right.

‘With the new productive capacity test based on output using only the land and fixed equipment provided by the landlord, tenants must realise the importance of documenting all their tenant’s improvements so that they are excluded from the rent calculation. We would urge all tenants to make progress with the amnesty for improvements, it will be vital for future rent reviews in addition to ensuring fair play at way-go.

‘Many of the poor relationships between landlord and tenant stem from disputes encountered during rent reviews under the current open market rent test which has become beset with difficulties. The move to a more transparent and workable productive capacity rent test is an opportunity for a fresh start in the setting of fair rents which will benefit the tenanted sector as a whole and all stakeholders should ensure their members buy into this new test.’

 

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Feb 15 2018

CROWN ESTATE BILL ADDRESSES TENANT FARMING CONCERNS

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

28th January 2018

 

CROWN ESTATE BILL ADDRESSES TENANT FARMING CONCERNS

 

In welcoming the publication of the Scottish Crown Estate Bill last week the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association have welcomed signs that plans are underway to continue to manage the rural estates nationally. Farming tenants had expressed their concerns that in dividing the Crown assets the rural estates might be split up and brought under the management of local authorities.  The Crown Estates comprise a large and diverse portfolio of rural and urban land, foreshore and mining rights, including several thousand hectare of tenanted farming land and the intention behind the Bill is to give local communities greater control over these assets in their area.

However, the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham has recognised that the devolution of management of these assets to local communities will not be appropriate in every circumstance and in some situations, it may be necessary for some assets to continue to be managed at a national level. The tenants on the four rural estates are firmly of the view that it would be more appropriate for the rural estates to be managed directly by the Scottish Government, or a body set up for the purpose rather than becoming devolved in the future to local authorities who have neither the skills nor the experience in managing agricultural estates. This view has acknowledged by the Cabinet Secretary.

Commenting on the situation STFA director Angus McCall said: “Having been worried about their future post-devolution the farm tenants have united to form a working group with representatives from all four estates to put forward their point of view and this group has met with ministers and civil servants on a number of occasions. They will be relieved that their concerns have been taken on board in the new Bill and ministers have signalled their intention to continue to manage the rural estates themselves.

“This is an important step as the rural estates have traditionally benefitted from being part of the wider Crown portfolio which has allowed to spread some of the surplus income from one sector to another. Although the rural estates have a high capital value and make a significant contribution to local communities and the environment, they produce a relatively low-income stream and this move will allow continuing investment in the farms providing the tenants with the security and confidence for the future development of their businesses.

“The Scottish Government has been carrying out some major reforms to the tenanted sector over the last few years which have now been enshrined in the Land Reform Act, being implemented over the next couple of years. As a major agricultural landlord, the Scottish Government will now have the opportunity to take the lead in making use of these new provisions to stimulate investment by both landlord and tenant, encourage the smooth transition of farms from one generation to the next, ensure fair rents for all and create opportunities where possible for the next generation.

“In remaining under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Government, tenants on all the estates would like to continue to be consulted in the management of the estates, particularly in any decisions involving any change of land use such as sale of land or conversion to forestry.”

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STFA URGES RETHINK ON SPEY VALLEY TREE PLANTING PLANS

Dec 19 2017

STFA URGES RETHINK ON SPEY VALLEY TREE PLANTING PLANS

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 19th December 2017

STFA URGES RETHINK ON SPEY VALLEY TREE PLANTING PLANS

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association is calling on Forestry Commission Scotland to refuse applications for woodland creation on arable land on the banks of the River Spey in the Cairngorm National Park. STFA considers that arable land is a scarce commodity in the CNPA area and a valuable asset which should not disappear under trees for the short-term gain of taxation benefits and forestry grants.

 

The STFA has been responding to the Forestry Commission’s consultation on proposals to plant trees on arable land on Pityoulish Estate by Scottish Woodlands on behalf of the owners. Pityoulish consists of approximately 880ha, with more than 700ha being heather hill, plantations, marshland etc., about 90ha ploughable and the rest rough grazing. The estate is already quite heavily wooded and the plans are to create a further 140ha of Native Woodland, regenerate 100ha of Caledonian Pine Wood and plant over 112ha of Commercial Woodland on the better land.

The owners plan to manage the balance of unplanted land with a mixture of grazing licences, contract farming and environmental schemes. The application emphasises the relationship between commercial forestry and farming and observes that, by planting a proportion of agricultural fields the feel and appearance of a mixed farm and forestry landscape will be maintained.  However, STFA believes that the reality is that the proposed management regime will prove uneconomic, difficult to manage and will soon lead to a further application to plant trees on the rest of the land.

Commenting on the planting proposal, STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson said; “This woodland creation application flies in the face of the agreement reached by the cross industry Woodland Expansion Advisory Group, that decisions on tree planting proposals should take account of the quality of the land in a local context. Plainly arable land is a scarce commodity in the Highlands in general and the CNP area in particular, and STFA believe that it should be maintained as farmland for the sake of future generations.

“STFA is aware that, influenced by the prospect of falling returns from upland farming, there are a number of landowners who are making similar plans to plant trees on farmland. The current drive to meet increased planting targets through advantageous planting grants, favourable Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax regime for woodlands, a tax-free crop on harvesting, combined with the ability to continue to access agricultural payments as “in hand” farmers make woodland creation the obvious answer.

“STFA, however, believes this is a short-term fix driven by generous government incentives which will be regretted by future generations looking for land to produce food. In this case a potentially valuable farming unit is to be taken out of agricultural production in an area where arable land is at a premium.  STFA has recommended refusal of consent to plant trees at Pityoulish in the wider and longer term public interest.  Instead we would suggest that the owners should consider the use on the new Repairing Tenancies as a way of retaining ownership of the land whilst increasing the capital value of the land in the longer term.  Agriculture is going through a period of uncertainty but that is no reason to sterilise some of our productive upland units with trees by a short term gut reaction.”

 

 

 
 

 

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STFA WELCOMES MLDTS AS THE NEW NORM FOR LETTING LAND

Dec 19 2017

STFA WELCOMES MLDTS AS THE NEW NORM FOR LETTING LAND

News Release Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 29th November 2017

 

STFA WELCOMES MLDTS AS THE NEW NORM FOR LETTING LAND

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the commencement this week of Modern Limited Duration Tenancies created in the Land Reform Act 2016. The MLDT, replaces Limited Duration Tenancies on 30th November and will be the new letting vehicle for leases of 10 years or longer.

MLDts are very similar to LDTs although there are some important differences which are designed to make them more attractive to landlords. There is now much more freedom to agree fixed equipment provided by the landlord and, as in LDTs virtual freedom of contract to agree rent review provisions, although tenants must be allowed to initiate a rent review and upwards only rent reviews are prohibited.

An important innovation is a 5 year break clause for new entrants and a landlord will be entitled to bring the tenancy to an end after the first 5 years if he is not using the land in accordance with the rules of good husbandry or has not complied with provisions of the lease. MLDTs are subject to the same succession provisions as 1991 Act tenancies and improvements are treated the same way as 1991 tenancies and LDTs.  An important caveat remains for prospective tenants to carry forward improvements from a previous tenancy.

Commenting on the new MLDTs, STFA Chairman Christopher Nicholson said; “The provisions in the Land Reform are taking some time to be enacted, largely due to the amount of complex secondary legislation required so we are pleased to see that the new style MLDTs have now become available. We hope that MLDTs will soon become the norm in letting land and we are pleased to note that there are already new tenancies on the point of being signed, some for substantial periods on time.

“Since Limited Duration Tenancies were first created in 2003 there have been a number of changes to address landlords’ concerns. Minimum term lengths have been reduced from 15 to 10 years and the latest reform introduces break clauses to allow landlords to get rid of an unsatisfactory new entrant and a get out of jail card for a new entrant in an unsatisfactory tenancy.  Rent reviews are subject to virtual freedom of contract and so there are now very few reasons for landlords’ not to use MLDTs.

“Given post Brexit economic prospects, landlords may soon overcome their current reluctance to let land and be glad of MLDTs as providing a secure letting arrangement to ensure their land is looked after by a competent farming tenant.”

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LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW SPORTING CODES TO AVOID CONFLICT

Dec 19 2017

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW SPORTING CODES TO AVOID CONFLICT

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

News Release

 1st November 2017

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MUST FOLLOW NEW SPORTING CODES TO AVOID CONFLICT

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the latest Code of Practice on Sporting Rights on tenanted farms as a timely reminder of the potential disputes that invariably arise where there is dual land use by agricultural and sporting tenants. The Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh has just issued his third code of practice for the management of relationships between agricultural tenants and those exercising sporting rights over tenanted land.

Commenting on the latest code of practice STFA Director Angus McCall said; “Generally speaking, the impact of game sports is felt most acutely on lowground and upland farms where pheasants are introduced into rough cover to provide shooting for sporting tenants. The occupying tenant farmer, depending on the farm to make a living, understandably feels that agricultural production is the main purpose of the lease and sporting activities should take second place and fit in with farming practices. Problems have increased in recent years as the income from sport has become more important to landowners and pheasant numbers have risen.  Over-enthusiastic gamekeepers, eager to provide good sport for their clients can make matters worse.  The law provides redress for game damage to crops but the conflicts between agricultural and sporting tenants are less easy to resolve.

“However, tenant farmers must accept the value which sporting activities may have for the landlord and his right to exercise them and be prepared to co-operate with the sporting enterprise and arrange farming activities accordingly. In return, sporting landlords should treat farming interests with consideration and respect, make good any game damage promptly and make sure that the sporting activity takes place within clear guidelines agreed at the start of the season.  It must be remembered that the land is usually let primarily for agricultural purposes and shooting interests cannot be allowed to run roughshod over farming businesses.

“There are many example where agricultural and sporting interests work together amicably and STFA would encourage all parties to familiarise themselves with the new Sporting Rights Code of Practice, treat each other with consideration and respect and above all, communicate. However, STFA is aware of some major breakdowns in relationships which should be referred to the TFC rather than allowed to fester for years which has so often been the case in the past.”

 

 

 

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