Scottish Land & Estates Responds To Biodiversity Consultation

Press Release

Ahead of next year’s Natural Environment Bill, Scottish Land & Estates were pleased to submit their contribution to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity.

The Framework will form the basis of the Bill, which will aim to protect and restore Scotland’s natural environment. SLE are optimistic that, should the Bill reflect their contribution to the consultation, it can strike a positive balance in delivering for nature, people and place.

SLE members will be at the forefront of delivering on the Scottish Government’s strategy, and it is clear from their contribution to the consultation that they take this responsibility seriously. The detailed response highlights areas of agreement, and concern; and, where appropriate, suggests alternative approaches to achieving desired outcomes.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We are pleased to have submitted a robust response to the consultation on Scotland’s Biodiversity Framework. It’s absolutely vital that we get this strategy right for nature, people and place.

“While the focus of the strategy is rightly on nature and landscape, there should also be a recognition that productive agriculture and forestry has a place and remains central to those working and living in rural Scotland. 

“In the context of the Scottish Government’s busy legislative agenda, with a new Agriculture Bill, Wildlife Management Bill and land reform laws making their way through parliament, we know that change is on the horizon already.

“We need to ensure that our approach to the Natural Environment Bill takes into account all of the fantastic work that our landowners are already doing to protect and enhance Scotland’s biodiversity, as well as looking at what more can be done to support these aims.”

A copy of the full consultation response can be read here.