News

National campaign to encourage farmers to #KeepTalking

Press Release

A national #KeepTalking campaign, fronted by Perthshire farmer and TV comedian Jim Smith (pictured this week on his farm), is set to be launched this week by RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture and supported by Scottish Land & Estates and other rural organisations. Auctioneers around the country have been...

Dialogue key to rent review process

Press Release

Communication between landlords and tenants - especially in relation to the impact of Covid-19 - is vital when conducting rent reviews, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Responding to a call from the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association for farm rent reductions, SLE said rent reviews should be conducted in line with sector guidance from...

Second chance to protect UK food standards must not be missed

Press Release

MPs must not miss this crucial opportunity to prevent substandard imports from undercutting our own domestic food which is already produced to extremely high British farming standards, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has said. The organisation made the comments ahead of the second reading of the Trade Bill in Westminster on 20 May 2020...

Councils urged not to charge flytipping victims at the dump

Press Release

Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are due to be opened by Scottish councils on 1 June 2020 to allow safe and responsible access for locals. We strongly welcome the move to re-open HWRCs if staff and public safety can be maintained, and today we have written to all 32 Scottish local authorities urging them to support landowners...

Substandard food imports remain a concern ahead of trade negotiations

Press Release

The failure to enshrine a commitment against substandard food imports into the UK is deeply disappointing, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The organisation made the comments following the third reading of the Agriculture Bill in the House of Commons last night. Eleanor Kay, Policy Adviser (Agriculture) at Scottish Land & Estates, said...

Furlough scheme extended

Press Release

The Chancellor has announced that the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October 2020. Furloughed workers across the UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500. New flexibility will be introduced from August to get employees back to work and boost the economy. As...

Extension to Farming Tenant’s Amnesty

Press Release

Following today’s passing of regulations by the Scottish Parliament to extend the amnesty on tenant’s improvements for a further six months to 12 December 2020, Scottish Land & Estates is echoing the call from Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh, in urging landlords, tenants and their agents not to use this as a reason for delaying...

UK Agriculture Bill needs enhanced consultation with devolved nations on trade commitments

Press Release

Devolved nations need to be properly consulted on World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations which could negatively impact future farming policy, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Ahead of the third reading of the UK Agriculture Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday, SLE said it was vital there are agreed processes for devolved...

Aid for select few private rental landlords

General News

The Scottish Government has published details of its promised interest-free loan for private landlords. The Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme, a £5 million fund, will offer eligible landlords up to 100% of lost rental income for a single property if their tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the coronavirus...

Scottish Government asked to step in as bin bag of human faeces found among illegally dumped rubbish

Press Release

Flytipping cases continue to surge, with a bin bag of human excrement found among items illegally dumped in the Scottish countryside during lockdown. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business membership organisation has drawn up a list of the top 10 most random items their members, which include farmers and estate owners, have...