SLE statement on Labour MSP's land reform proposals
Press ReleaseFollowing the publication today of land reform proposals by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba, Scottish Land & Estates issued the following statement.
Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Land owners of all types whether they be private individuals such as farmers and estate owners, charities, local authorities or government are investing heavily in rural Scotland for the benefit of people, jobs and nature. We would expect this to be something that the Labour Party would support.
“The contribution of landowners to Scotland’s wellbeing economy was recently highlighted in a new report that found estates provide homes for 13,000 families and land for nearly 14,000 rural enterprises, generate an estimated £2.4 billion GVA/year for the Scottish economy and support around 57,300 jobs – around 1 in 10 rural jobs.
“Furthermore, they attract an estimated 5.4 million Scottish residents annually to enjoy the natural environment. Estates account for 58% of Scotland’s renewable energy generating capacity and make a substantial contribution to Scotland’s natural capital base through agricultural, forestry and renewable energy operations as well being important for carbon sequestration potential and nature-based tourism.
“Landowners have embraced great changes in the last 20 years and have engaged constructively over proposals on land reform. It is very difficult to do so with these proposals which are riddled with inaccuracies and which would damage our ability to produce food and fuel, deliver for climate and biodiversity as well as creating jobs, homes and business opportunities. The proposed limit of 500 hectares would affect many family-owned farms. Ms Villalba does not seem to grasp this, no does she appear to be aware of the scale of land reform change which has already happened. Her ideas are somewhat left field – even within her own party.”