Scottish Government

This following section is an extract from the Land Reform Consultation.

"Proposal 9: Agricultural Holdings

The legislative framework governing the tenant farming sector needs reformed in order to be fit for the 21st century.  The current Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review, chaired by Mr Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, has built a high level of engagement and confidence amongst the sector and there is a strong desire that the Review’s recommendations be taken forward quickly.

The Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group has been working over the last year to develop a range of recommendations designed to address current concerns and promote a vibrant tenanted sector.  The Group has consulted with stakeholders and the public throughout this period and the recommendations have been developed on the basis of detailed consultation with tenants, landowner and others in the sector.

The Group’s interim report, published in July 2014, sets out the Review Group’s analysis and thoughts on a wide range of evidence gathering and consultation that formed the first stage of their work and can be found here.[1]

The Group are due to complete their work by the end of this year and their final recommendations will need to be considered as a whole in order to achieve the aim of re-building confidence and improving relationships between tenants and landowners, facilitating retirement and encouraging new entrants and providing modern, flexible letting vehicles.  It is hoped that a number of the recommendations, where legislative change is required, can be taken forward within the Land Reform Bill.