2014 – A NEW DAWN FOR SCOTTISH TENANT FARMERS?

The leader of Scotland’s tenant farmers has said that 2014 will prove to be a make or break year for the tenant farming community.  STFA chairman Christopher Nicholson said: “The next twelve months will map out the future for tenant farmers and the communities in which they live as CAP reform takes shape, deliberations over land reform and tenancy reform conclude and the people of Scotland cast their vote in the independence referendum.  Crucial decisions on these policy strands will profoundly affect the economic, social and cultural future of rural Scotland. 

 

“CAP reform is the immediate priority for all farmers, optimising funds from a much reduced budget, exacerbated by Defra’s withholding of Scotland’s share of the uplift in convergence funds. Slipper farming must be consigned to the history books and it is essential that support payments are targeted towards genuinely active farmers.  Much needed LFASS payments must continue and smaller farming units should have greater access to SRDP schemes.  New entrants must have a fair deal from day one and the national reserve must be ongoing to ensure support payments for future generations of new farmers. 

 

“The New Year must herald a new dawn for tenant farming.  The last decade has seen the tenanted sector shrink and stagnate with deteriorating relationships between landlords and tenants. Rental pressure has been increased on existing tenants and opportunities for new entrants have declined even further.  It is now time to move on and make a new start.

 

New Year message from STFA Chairman

“There are high hopes that government reviews on land and tenancy reform will stimulate a more positive vision for a more inclusive land tenure system in the wider public interest. Greater diversity of land ownership must be part of the mix alongside a tenanted sector where security of tenure and fair rents encourage investment and long term planning.   Above all, more opportunities must be created for the next generation whether they are new entrants or tenant farmers progressing up the farming ladder. 

STFA welcomes the current debate over extending right to buy provisions and its impact on Scotland’s land tenure structure.  Many tenants now feel frustrated and restricted by the terms of their tenancy.  Recent STFA meetings have highlighted the urgent need for tenancy reform and there have been increased calls for the introduction of the absolute right to buy as a way of encouraging tenant farmers to realise their potential.  

 “Members views will be further sought over the coming weeks and we will be playing our part in the democratic process to bring forward much needed change to the tenanted sector for the wider benefit of Scottish agriculture and rural communities.”