May 29 2013
STFA WELCOMES GOVERNMENTS COMMITMENT TO REVIEW TENANCIES
STFA WELCOMES GOVERNMENTS COMMITMENT TO REVIEW TENANCIES
The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead’s commitment to honour his pledge to carry out a top to bottom review of the operation of Agricultural Holdings legislation in 2014. The commitment was given at yesterday’s NFUS’ Land Tenure seminar where the Cabinet Secretary also confirmed that the government’s review would take account of any solutions which had been agreed by the Tenant Farming Forum, but also warned that the government would be prepared to intervene in the absence of agreement.
Speaking after the event STFA Chairman, Christopher Nicholson said; “We are delighted that Richard Lochhead fully intends to proceed with a thorough review of tenancy legislation. We are only disappointed that this review is not taking place in tandem with a more holistic overview of land tenure in Scotland. This work should have been undertaken by the Land Reform Review Group and we now believe the government has a responsibility to consider the establishment of an independent Lands Commission, untainted by sectoral interests, to look at big picture land tenure issues and paint a future vision for rural Scotland.
“It is vitally important that the Scottish rental sector is able to accommodate the different needs and aspirations of existing tenants and new entrants. Those attending the conference seemed to agree that while there was some need for greater flexibility in the system it must take place within the framework of existing legislation. The importance family farms, the dangers associated with expanding agri- business and the importance of security of tenure were also stressed along with innovative ideas such as share farming.”