NFU welcomes new land legislation

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Vote will mean more land on the market

NFU Scotland has warmly welcomed a vote by a Scottish Parliament Committee which is intended to help bring more land to let onto the market. The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and the Environment Committee approved changes to the Public Services Reform (Agricultural Holdings) (Scotland) Order 2011 yesterday (Wednesday 9 March).
The package of measures, which change the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003, reflect a series of changes proposed by the Tenant Farming Forum. A final version of the Order should be signed by the Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead in a few weeks, following which it will become law.
NFU Scotland’s Policy Director, Scott Walker said:
“The industry has been working on this collectively for two years. I am delighted that a great deal of hard work has now resulted in the changes to the rules governing the letting of land. The most notable changes are the reduction in the minimum length of a Limited Duration Tenancy (LDT) and the fact that a Short Limited Duration Tenancy (SLDT) can now, at any point in its duration, be converted to an LDT.
“These points, along with the clarification on fixed equipment should now make those who have been reluctant to let land confident to do so again. Rules governing the letting of land are vital for this to continue to be the case.