NFU Scotland is to introduce a new technical short life working group in response to the undoubted challenge the Land Reform Bill implementation will create.

Comprising of all of the interests within the tenanted sector, the group will be underpinned by a number of professional advisors and experienced NFU Scotland members.

This announcement comes as the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill was passed at Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament on 16 March 2016.

This group will be tasked with ensuring that NFU Scotland staff and office-bearers have the highest quality technical information to feed into the process of implementation which will be required.

In the immediate future, the group will prioritise the range of issues that are to be implemented as a result of the Land Reform debate, including the productive capacity test for rent reviews on 1991 Act tenancies, repairing standard for farmhouses, interposed leases, a new two stage waygo process, and fiscal incentives for letting land.

NFU Scotland President, Allan Bowie commented: “The Land Reform Bill undoubtedly contains measures which will provide positive change for tenants and landlords alike in Scotland. Whilst NFU Scotland would have preferred land reform and agricultural holdings to be dealt with in two standalone bills, the legislation will bring about a number of key changes to agricultural holdings which NFU Scotland has championed from the beginning of the consultative process.

“However, NFU Scotland has always said it will measure the long term success of the legislation on an increased amount of land being available for let in the future on a long-term secure basis. The legislation which MSPs have passed is extremely vast yet, in its final form, contains a number of areas where the detail is yet to be developed.

“It is regrettable that this Bill hasn’t been the vehicle in which to address further measures which could secure the confidence and vibrancy of the tenanted sector in Scotland, such as the two-stage waygo process. However, during parliamentary scrutiny the Cabinet Secretary undertook to examine further a number of issues which will be instrumental in driving future change in the sector.  

“NFU Scotland will engage with Scottish Government to develop details which will have an undoubted impact on the effectiveness of this highly technical legislation, and we look forward to working with the new technical working group to develop robust policy, fit for instilling further confidence into the sector for the long-term future.”

Notes to Editors

• For an up to date briefing on NFU Scotland’s position on the Land Reform Bill at Stage 3 please contact clare.slipper@nfus.org.uk

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Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108