“Release The Handbrake On Rural Scotland” – Estates Call For Support On Growth And Sustainability

Press Release

Bold, practical steps from the government can help take the handbrake off Scotland’s rural economy and create an environment for investment, innovation and climate action.

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, made the call as delegates gathered for SLE’s Annual Conference in Edinburgh. 

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, provided the keynote address on the future of the rural economy.

Prior to that, SLE chair Dee Ward called on both the UK and Scottish Government to harness ‘the resources, the ingenuity, and the resilience’ of estates after years of legislative upheaval – and warned that policy instability and overly restrictive regulation are acting as a brake on growth.

Dee Ward, Chair of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “If Scotland is serious about achieving net zero, reversing rural depopulation, and securing food resilience, then rural policy cannot be treated as an afterthought. It must be central to our national agenda.

“The time has come to release the handbrake on the rural economy. We’re not asking for special treatment – we’re calling for intelligent, enabling decisions that reflect the realities of delivering sustainable change on the ground.

“Both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister represent rural constituencies, and that connection to rural Scotland is starting to show in many government decisions. Recent changes to the Housing Bill and the decision to reconsider the proposed ban on wood-burning stoves are clear examples of a more pragmatic, grounded approach – and we welcome that, even where issues such as unworkable land reform measures pose a significant test.

“Scotland’s estates are ready to continue delivering national priorities – whether that’s restoring nature, providing homes, supporting sustainable farming, or tackling climate change. But to do so, we need a stable policy environment that encourages long-term investment, innovation and collaboration. If our policies match our ambitions, rural Scotland can lead the way in delivering economic growth and environmental recovery.”

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, said:

“Rural businesses are key to the continued economic prosperity of Scotland and the communities they serve. They are essential in delivering environmental outcomes, food and renewable energy amongst many other essential functions.

“In Scotland, we are committed to maintaining reformed direct payments, supporting food production and providing vital stability and support to our rural communities and businesses. We will continue to work closely with the industry to develop new support with them, improving sustainability in areas such as farming, food production, forestry and peatland restoration.

“Yet I am in no doubt that the UK Government’s decision to reform inheritance tax has had a chilling and stressful impact. We will continue to urge the Chancellor to reverse this decision, which reduces productivity, fights against growth and creates uncertainty at a time when global instability demands confidence at home.”

SLE reiterated its concern over the UK Government’s intention to apply inheritance tax to farming businesses – warning that such a move would severely undermine food production, environmental progress, generational succession, and the stability of rural livelihoods.

Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“Farming is at the heart of Scotland’s rural economy and national food security. Our farmers and land managers are producing high-quality food while also delivering on nature, climate and community goals – often under immense financial and regulatory pressure.

“The UK Government’s refusal to reconsider its planned changes on inheritance tax is deeply concerning. These businesses rely on long-term planning and generational succession. Removing existing reliefs would undermine investment, disrupt business continuity, and threaten the viability of farms across Scotland.

“We urge UK Ministers to recognise that this isn’t just a tax change – it’s a potential blow to food production, rural employment and future farming resilience. The focus should be on supporting, not penalising, those working to secure our food system for the next generation.”