News

SLE appoints two new regional Chairs

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation, has appointed two new Chairs covering the South West of Scotland. Laura Warrender, from Minuntion Estate near Girvan, Ayrshire, takes up the role of Clydeside Chair. Sir David Hope-Dunbar of St Mary’s Isle Estate, Kirkcudbright, is SLE’s new Dumfries & Galloway...

Welcome measures announced in the Scottish Government budget

Press Release

Increased support for peatland restoration and additional funding for tree planting and woodland creation were among the measures announced in the Scottish Government’s budget welcomed by SLE yesterday. The budget heeded the call of SLE and other stakeholders to support our agricultural sector, with additional support for farmers and...

NFUS and Scottish Land & Estates join call for action against flytipping

Press Release

Small Businesses and farmers are calling for urgent action on flytipping. That was the message from NFU Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) when they joined other stakeholders today (28 January) in a roundtable meeting with Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, to discuss how the...

Protection for mountain hare increases to full protection from 1 March 2021

General News

The Statutory Instrument was laid in the Scottish Parliament today (27 January) to enable provisions for licensing control of mountain hares under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 to take effect this year. This formal procedure was anticipated and from 1 March it will be illegal to...

SLE opposes inappropriate regulations on B&Bs, self-caterers and small businesses

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has warned that proposed Scottish Government regulations for short-term let accommodation could have disastrous consequences for the rural economy. The regulations are under consideration by the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee. Devised to tackle anti-social behaviour and lack...

SLE backs livestock attack Bill

Press Release

Targeted legislation to deal with dog attacks on livestock is a hugely welcome move for rural Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation has said it supports the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, a Members Bill brought forward by Emma Harper MSP. The Bill will be debated by...

Practical support needed to help Scottish agriculture meet climate change targets

Press Release

Scottish farmers and land managers can do more in the fight against climate change but need practical and detailed support in order to do so, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation was responding to a public consultation on an update to Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2018-2032. SLE said while some progress had...

SLE statement on UK-EU trade deal

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation representing farmers and land managers, has issued the following statement regarding the UK-EU trade deal. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Most within the Scottish farming and food sectors will view the trade deal with the EU as positive news at...

Grouse shooting sector welcomes wildlife crime report which shows ‘real progress’ in tackling raptor persecution

Press Release

Following the publication of the annual wildlife crime report today by the Scottish Government, Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We share the Scottish Government’s ambition to address urgently climate change and biodiversity and agree that...

Call to care for the countryside over the Christmas period

Press Release

Festive frosty walks in Scotland’s countryside can be a highlight of Christmas – but with an appeal being made to enjoy our rural areas responsibly and respectfully during this period. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents farmers, land managers and rural businesses, has said the next few weeks should be enjoyable for access...