News

150 land managers hit out at prospective ban on snares and cable restraints

Press Release

150 land managers have signed a letter urging the Scottish Government to retain the use of humane cable restraints as it considers a ban on the use of traditional snares. Humane cable restraints are a modern device used predominantly by farmers and gamekeepers to control fox populations in order to protect livestock and other wildlife...

SLE Welcomes Draft Agriculture Bill’s Dedication to Sustainable Farming and Nature

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed publication of the draft Agriculture Bill and its commitment to environment and nature. The Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill will reform how the Scottish Government supports farming and food production in Scotland. It will legislate to introduce a new framework of support to replace the current...

Wildlife Estates Accreditation Awarded To Landholdings At Speyside And Scottish Borders

Press Release

Two Scottish estates have earned prestigious international accreditation in recognition of their efforts in wildlife management and conservation. Glenrinnes Organic Estate near Dufftown on Speyside and Torwoodlee Estate, near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders have been awarded Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation. The awards...

Short-Term Lets Licence Extension Vital For Rural Scotland

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates has added its voice to calls for the deadline for businesses to apply for a short-term let licence to be extended. SLE said that measures to comply with licensing, such as obtaining various types of certifications, were simply unfeasible for many businesses given the shortage of...

400 rural businesses voice opposition to grouse shooting licensing plans

Press Release

Nearly 400 businesses have joined together to urge the Scottish Government to avoid a ‘disastrous and irreversible’ outcome for rural Scotland from its plans to licence grouse shooting. Butchers, hotels, tradespeople, farms and upland estates are amongst those to have written to Environment Minister, Gillan Martin MSP, seeking changes to...

Landowner-Government Partnership Key To Addressing Wildlife And Habitat Loss

Press Release

Collaboration between government, business and landowners is key to reversing the huge loss in wildlife and biodiversity both in Scotland and across Europe, an international congress being held in Edinburgh has heard. Wildlife Estates (WE) International Congress is being attended by representatives from 11 of the 19 member countries...

Statement on the Programme for Government 2023-24

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to increase rural housing supply - but added that it needs to rebuild its trust with businesses to help achieve its policy aims. The rural business organisation made the comments in response to the Programme for Government announced by First Minister Humza Yousaf...

Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new Chair

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland, an accreditation initiative to promote the best habitat and wildlife management practices for farms and estates, has appointed a new chairperson. Miles Montgomerie, owner of Southannan Farms and West Glenalmond in Perthshire, has been appointed to the role. Mr Montgomerie takes over from Dee Ward who recently...

Scottish Government urged to meet climate challenge head on and seize opportunities of a net zero economy

Press Release

An urgent set of actions required from Scottish Government to ramp up progress in tackling the climate emergency through measures that have fairness and equality at their heart. CERG calls for this year’s Programme for Government to reflect a fully coordinated Scottish Government response to the climate emergency to meet ambitious 2030...

Snaring ban threatens a 'crippling blow' to biodiversity

Press Release

The Scottish Government’s intention to ban the use of snares in Scotland would deliver a crippling blow to attempts to reverse biodiversity loss, particularly for endangered ground-nesting birds, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The government has announced a consultation on prohibiting the devices, which are used to control foxes, as...