SALVESEN RIDDELL TENANTS MUST NOT BE HUNG OUT TO DRY

SALVESEN RIDDELL TENANTS MUST NOT BE HUNG OUT TO DRY

Responding to the consultation on the Remedial Order to amend the 2003 Act following the Salvesen Riddell case, the Scottish Tenant Farmers association has said that the Scottish Government should not abdicate its responsibility and must act to protect the interests of affected tenants who now stand to lose homes and livelihoods.

 The Remedial Order seeks to grant vacant possession to landlords who had served notice to quit on their tenants in the relevant period in 2003.  This will inevitably lead to some tenants losing their farms unless the mediation process proposed by the Government can broker a deal between landlord and tenant.

 STFA is concerned that the government has made no move to accept responsibility for the situation that these tenants now find themselves in.  Following a meeting with affected tenants STFA’s Angus McCall said;  “It would appear that these tenants are in danger of being hung out to dry.  The government must commit to compensating tenants for their loss of their farms.

“The Cabinet Secretary’s statement to the RACCE committee that tenant’s claims for compensation will receive “sympathetic” treatment is scant comfort to tenants and their families who now face an uncertain future. It must be remembered that tenants merely acted within the legislative framework provided to them and against the backdrop of the intention of Parliament.  It is therefore important that they should not be prejudiced for acting within the remit of the law and following professional guidance.  They will pay both a financial and ‘emotional’ price given, as we all appreciate not only is it their businesses but families that are affected.

Commenting on the situation one disillusioned tenant affected by the order said: “I cannot stress strongly enough the damage done to family life over the past 10 years.  Apart from the considerable financial outlay, which I can quantify, the biggest issue for me is the fact that my professional ability as a farmer and businessman were continually slandered, thus holding my whole business back and depriving me of opportunities.  Banks, solicitors, land agents and suppliers put me through the mill.  Our human rights have been violated through no fault of our own.   It looks as though I am being left once again to sort out this mess which is not what we were promised.”