News

UK Government commitment on food standards welcome but further detail on implementation required

Press Release

An increased role for the UK Parliament in protecting food standards in future trade deals is welcome but requires further clarity on its implementation. Scottish Land & Estates, which represents land-based and rural businesses, made the comments ahead of the latest House of Commons debate on the UK Agriculture Bill. Following votes in...

Planned environmental standards scotland watchdog needs greater accountability to parliament

Press Release

Parliament should have a greater role in the operation of the new governance body Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS), Scottish Land & Estates said today. Provisions for the creation of the organisation are being examined at Stage 1 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill. ESS is intended to replace...

SLE welcomes vote on amendments to safeguard food standards

Press Release

Further attempts to strengthen legislation on imported food standards post-Brexit have been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates. Following a debate in the House of Lords on Tuesday (October 20), peers voted to accept two amendments to the Agriculture Bill making its way through parliament. The amendments require equivalence in agri...

Blanket approach to short-term lets could harm rural Scotland

Press Release

New regulations being proposed for short-term let housing could have a devastating impact on Scotland’s rural communities, most of whom are already under severe pressure dealing with the wide-scale impacts of Covid-19, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organsiation representing rural businesses and landowners. In its response to the...

Quarter of land managers experienced anti-social behaviour in the countryside

Press Release

A quarter of land managers looking after Scotland’s beautiful countryside have experienced anti-social behaviour from members of the public this year including witnessing fighting, people shouting abuse and noise from parties. The findings are part of a report into responsible access to the countryside carried out by Scottish Land &...

SLE statement on RSPB licensing consultation

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, whose members include land businesses with shooting interests across Scotland, issued the following statement in view of the outcome announced at the RSPB AGM in regard to licensing of gamebird shooting. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The outcome announced today is not...

Proposed changes to Scotland’s planning system could hamper green recovery

Press Release

Proposed changes to Scotland’s planning system could hamper a green recovery, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and businesses, has warned today. The proposals by the Scottish Government in their ‘Scottish Planning Policy and Housing: Proposed Policy Amendments’ consultation could see the removal...

Rural organisations urge government to back new ‘blueprint’ for future of shooting

Press Release

Scotland’s rural organisations have written to the Scottish Government today to unveil a new blueprint for the shooting sector which can deliver major benefits for the environment. The guidelines provide the most comprehensive framework to date for the creation, management and restoration of habitat for wildlife. The ‘Principles of...

Short-term Covid restrictions could have long-term impacts on rural Scotland 

Press Release

New short-term changes to curb the rise in Covid-19 infections could lead to considerable job losses and businesses becoming unviable unless the right support is provided, says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organsiation representing rural businesses and landowners. Following on from today’s announcement of new restrictions taking...

Muirburn vital in aiding carbon storage and preventing wildfires

Press Release

Muirburn – the controlled, cool burning of heather on Scotland’s moorlands – is becoming ever more important in the fight against wildfires in Scotland, land managers said today. As the permitted season for muirburn (October 1 to April 15) opens, grouse moors and estates are working with government, conservation groups and Scottish Fire &...