NFU Scotland is warning that key elements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill risk damaging rural businesses, disrupting the land market, and piling red tape on farmers and crofters.
"We have repeatedly underlined that the proposals will punish those who manage a significant proportion of Scotland’s land to exceptionally high standards," said NFU Scotland Vice-President Duncan Macalister.
“Around 70% of Scotland’s land mass is under some form of agricultural management and that land is already subject to strict environmental regulations, support scheme conditions, and increasing expectations around sustainability. Instead of being recognised for this, our members are being hit with unnecessary bureaucracy.”
As Stage 2 of the Bill progresses in Parliament, NFU Scotland is deeply concerned by the direction of travel and calls on MSPs to consider the impact during Stage 3 of the Bill.
Macalister continued:
“There’s now a real risk that this Bill will reduce land availability, stall vital investment, and do lasting damage to the very businesses and communities it claims to support.”
Major concerns
- Lotting Proposal: Forcing landowners looking to sell land to split large landholdings into smaller lots which could delay sales, harm viable farms, and trigger costly compensation claims. NFUS has called for full removal of the lotting requirement.
- Land Management Plans: These must be simple, avoid duplication, and protect commercial information.
- Community Right to Buy: NFUS is disappointed that our calls for a pause until the existing review concluded have not been listened to, warning the current plan could stall land sales and increase costs.
- Scottish Land Commission Powers: NFUS opposes giving the Commission regulatory authority and insists it should remain advisory.
- Tenancy Law Changes: Any reforms must be fair and balanced. Landlord and tenant rights must be respected.
- Definition of ‘Sustainable and Regenerative’: Should be linked to the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act Code of Practice.
NFUS is actively engaging MSPs and urges farmers and crofters to:
- Contact their MSPs
- Share NFUS’s position
- Stay informed and speak out
“This is an ideologically-driven measure that has no place in a functioning rural economy,” added Macalister. “The notion that productive, well-run farms could be forcibly broken up by government diktat is utterly unacceptable.”
Ends.
Contact Carly Ross on 07860 642826