NFU Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) have been co-ordinating a united effort with other key rural organisations, including the Scottish Association of Young Farmers (SAYFC), in working towards a sustainable future for the tenanted sector.

Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), along with Blackadders solicitor Hamish Lean, all recognise the challenges facing the tenanted sector; in particular those faced by new entrants when it comes to getting onto the farming ladder.

The recently completed set of highly successful tenancy roadshows demonstrates how all parts of the sector are now working together to find ways to tackle the challenges ahead to deliver a thriving tenanted sector.

John Kinnaird, NFUS President, said:

“It is essential that we build on the success of the road shows and address the challenges facing the tenanted sector head on and work together towards a viable solution. Many issues were raised including new entrants which is of particular concern and one which is at the very top of our agenda.”

Angus McCall of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association said:

“The recent roadshows on the future of tenant farming have demonstrated the value of getting all parties together to debate and discuss the way forward for the industry. In particular we welcome the opportunity to listen to the views of young farmers in whose hands the future of the industry lies The meetings have, however, made it all too apparent that there is a long way to go before a new path can be opened to allow new entrants into the industry. There is much work to be done to find solutions to the many issues identified in the meetings and we need to move quickly if another generation is not to be lost to Scottish agriculture.”

Hamish Lean of Blackadders said:

“I was tremendously encouraged by the large audiences who turned out for the road shows on the future of tenant farming, particularly for new entrants. Whilst not underestimating the difficulties, it was unique in my experience for all sides of the industry to come together like this in order to engage in constructive discussion. It was also heartening to hear that from the land owners’ point of view that there is growing confidence in the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003, especially in relation to the new fixed duration tenancies and an increasing uptake of such tenancies. This is certainly my experience as a practitioner and a very welcome development indeed.”

Jackie McCreery, Legal Adviser, SRPBA, commented:

“The recent round of meetings to discuss this has been an extremely valuable exercise, and further endorsement that the whole sector has come together to find solutions to succession and retirement issues, and new entrants. We now need to ensure that the momentum gained and progress made in recent weeks is not lost.”

Andrew Bruce-Wooton of SEBG said:

“SEBG has been delighted to be included in this very successful series of roadshows. The inclusion of landlord and aspiring young farmer on the platform at each event for the first time has demonstrated how all sides are working together in the search for solutions to the issues facing our industry. This co-operation has to be the way forward, if we’re to ensure a healthy and thriving tenanted sector.”

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