News

Scottish Land & Estates responds to the newly published Natural Environment Bill

Press Release

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill can deliver important progress for wildlife and biodiversity in Scotland – but Scottish Land & Estates has urged government to work collaboratively with landowners to deliver those improvements. The rural business organisation has given its initial reaction to the wide-ranging Bill which was...

UK Government's Tax Plans Ignore Scotland's Farming Structure

Press Release

The impact of tax changes on Scotland’s distinctive farming sector is either severely misunderstood or being deliberately ignored by the UK Government, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation was speaking following the meeting HM Treasury held with some representative sector organisations on Tuesday – a meeting...

Small Farms 'At Risk' From New National Park Proposal

Press Release

Proposals for a new National Park in Galloway could place additional financial and regulatory pressures on small businesses which are already struggling, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has said today. The rural business organisation made the comments in its response to a NatureScot consultation on the National Park proposals. SLE warned...

SLE statement on suspected illegal release of feral pigs in the Cairngorms

Press Release

Following confirmation from the Cairngorms National Park Authority that feral pigs had been spotted in an area near Uath Lochans , near Insh, Speyside, Scottish Land & Estates has released the following statement. Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said: "This appears to be a reckless and illegal act which...

UK Government urged not to put Scotland’s rural economy at risk through inheritance tax changes

Press Release

An opportunity exists for the UK Government to change course on its illogical changes to inheritance tax for farms - but it needs a willingness by government to work with the sector. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, made the comments as a Westminster Hall debate takes place after a petition against the...

Land reform cannot be allowed to decimate investment in Scotland

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has called for common sense to be returned to the land reform debate after calls from campaigners to ramp up measures proposed in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which could decimate investment in rural Scotland. Before a Parliamentary committee today on Stage 1 of the Bill...

Appeal for urgent rethink by government on deer management proposals

Press Release

Land-based businesses, estates, gamekeepers and stalkers across Scotland have appealed to the Scottish Government to reconsider its approach to deer management, warning that proposed policies could jeopardise rural livelihoods, biodiversity, and Scotland’s natural heritage. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, said...

Boosting housing supply, not rent caps, key to tackling Scotland’s rural housing crisis

Press Release

Increasing housing availability – rather than an ill-advised narrow focus on affordability – is key to solving Scotland’s rural housing crisis. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the Housing (Scotland)...

Calls grow for overhaul of Land Reform Bill as reports highlight fundamental flaws

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has urged a complete rethink of the Land Reform Bill, warning that its sweeping powers and lack of proper consultation or parliamentary scrutiny render the legislation deeply flawed, as highlighted in two newly released reports. The organisation commented after a new parliamentary...

Land market data demonstrates need to avoid ‘kneejerk’ policymaking

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has said a new rural land market report demonstrates the need to avoid a ‘kneejerk policy reaction’ to short term market trends. Published by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC), the Rural Land Market Report draws on data from the Registers of Scotland and the wider industry to...