News

SLE statement on wildlife crime report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates said today that the latest Scottish Government Wildlife Crime Report published today showed that crimes against birds of prey remain at historically low levels but efforts to stamp out raptor persecution were being undermined by rogue individuals. Tim Baynes, SLE’s Moorland Director, said: “Estates share the...

SLE statement on Werritty Report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, said today the recommendations of a government-led review into grouse moor management will have far-reaching and worrying implications for rural communities. The main recommendations of the review, chaired by Professor Alan Werritty, include plans to license and place further...

Grouse shooting review will mean 'seismic' change for moors in Scotland

Press Release

Rural organisations said today that the recommendations of a government-commissioned review of grouse moor management will mean a ‘seismic’ change for grouse moors across Scotland. Following publication of the review group’s report, a joint statement was issued by: British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Scottish Countryside...

Rural businesses call for bold and ambitious leadership

Press Release

Scotland’s rural sector must grasp this opportunity to make the changes required to help deliver a resilient, efficient and thriving rural sector and to tackle the climate emergency head on says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. Following an evidence session with the Scottish...

Calls for bigger fines and longer sentences for wildlife criminals

Press Release

People convicted of wildlife crimes such as deer poaching, hare coursing, killing badgers or birds of prey should receive bigger fines and longer prison sentences than currently available says Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation which represents landowners and rural businesses. Following an evidence session with the Scottish...

2019 Grouse season defies predictions after late upturn

Press Release

The grouse season in Scotland is ending today, 10th December, on a high note. Experts predicted the season would be mixed at best, but as it turned out, some moors in Scotland were able to host fairly full programmes. The east of Scotland tended to fare best overall, from Aberdeenshire down to Angus, parts of Perthshire and then further...

SLE statement on hen harrier appeal

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement regarding an appeal for information issued today in relation to three hen harriers. Sarah Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The disappearance or illegal killing of any satellite-tagged bird of prey is a matter of concern and we consistently support...

First female CEO appointed for 110-year-old rural business organisation

Press Release

Sarah-Jane Laing has been appointed as Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, as it enters the most challenging era in its 110-year history. Sarah-Jane, who lives on the family farm in Hume in the Borders, has steadily climbed the ranks at the rural business organisation over the past fifteen years...

Women in Agriculture Taskforce Report

General News

Commenting on the Women in Agriculture Taskforce Report, Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director of Scottish Land & Estates and member of the taskforce said: “Speaking from personal experience, the farming sector can at times feel like an exclusive club where women only get limited access. We need to break down the barriers to women entering...

SLE comment on BBC's 'Meat: A threat to our planet?'

Press Release

Commenting on the BBC One programme 'Meat: A threat to our planet?' aired on 25 November 2019, Stephen Young, Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates said: “Scotland’s farmers are already playing a crucial role in fighting climate change through world-class production methods such as maximising the use of grass to feed livestock. This...