Farming: Landowners make a case

IN LAYING out their priorities for the next Scottish Government, the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association and the Scottish Estates Business Group yesterday put a strong emphasis on rural businesses driving the local economy.

Both organisations wanted to see increased support for food production in Scotland along with continued strong support for renewable energy projects combined with a reduction in red tape and bureaucracy for small rural businesses.

SRPBA chief executive Doug McAdam said that for these to be delivered effectively, the next government should also be focusing on core methods to help make this happen.

He listed improving local planning policy, better engagement with rural land representatives and a rural development programme which truly supported business growth and improvement as priorities.

"We are also looking for the government to recognise the contribution that estates and land based businesses have made to rural Scotland and if the next government continues to support initiatives such as the Wildlife Estates scheme which promotes best practice in land management, it will be a step in the right direction".

SEBG chairman Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming said he wanted to see landowners regarded by the incoming government as part of the community and not peripheral to it.

"Rural homes, less bureaucracy, promotion of rural food production, rural tourism and greater freedom of contract within agricultural holdings tenancy agreements are all key issues which need to be addressed."