FARMING TENANTS of the Crown Estate in Scotland were this week seeking assurances that the planned devolution of the land asset to Scottish Government control would not mean disruption for their businesses.
A stakeholder group, set up by Scottish Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead to look at future management options for the Crown Estate land, was due to hold its inaugural meeting in Edinburgh today.
Pre-empting that gathering, the National Farming Union Scotland’s president, Allan Bowie, met with Crown Estate farming tenants on the Glenlivet estate in Banffshire at the start of the week to hear their concerns about what the imminent changes could bring.
The union has a significant number of members who are agricultural tenants on Crown Estate rural land, particularly on the Glenlivet, Whitehill, Applegirth, and Fochabers Estates, and since early spring, has been meeting with them and concerned politicians to discuss the devolution plan.
Speaking from Banffshire, Mr Bowie said: “We have worked hard to ensure the interests of our members who are Crown Estate tenants across Scotland are taken into consideration when this aspect of the Scotland Bill is up for discussion.
“Whilst there can be niggles in any relationship between landlord and tenant, over issues like investment and repairs, there is a degree of trust in the existing management arrangements and many wish the status quo to remain following the passage of the Scotland Bill.
“In principle, our members have no objection to the devolution of the management of the Crown Estate assets as long as the Scottish Government realises the responsibility it will then assume,” said Mr Bowie. “Farming and rural estate management can only thrive if both the landlord and the tenant share medium to long term objectives. Fixed-asset investment is essential and can only be justified if looked at in a 10 to 20 year time-frame.
“The Crown Estates have been able to invest in their rural assets by using funds generated by other parts of the estate. If the Scottish estate is allowed to be fragmented this may no longer be possible and support will need to be pumped in to the parts that earn least or they may fail,” he warned.
“Future management is a core part of discussion. Any management team put in place must be able to operate free from political interference,” added Mr Bowie. “While appropriate that it report to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, it must be able to control its own strategy and budget. It should also be equally representative of all the stakeholders – tenants, management and government.
“We contend that, in general, the farming industry and rural estates have been good custodians of Scotland’s land, given the financial and fiscal climate. A responsible balance must be maintained between traditional industries and industrial, environmental and recreational facilities, if they are to be enjoyed by the many even if they are managed by the few.”
- For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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