Sep 18 2013
STFA WELCOMES CABINET SECRETARY’S COMMITMENT TO TENANCY REVIEW
STFA WELCOMES CABINET SECRETARY’S COMMITMENT TO TENANCY REVIEW
The Scottish Tenant farmers Association has welcomed the Cabinet Secretary’s announcement today that he is to take charge of a thorough and wide ranging review of the tenanted sector including consideration of extending tenants’ rights to buy their farms.
In response to the announcement STFA chairman Christopher Nicholson said: “We are pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has recognised that the tenanted sector is ailing and in need of an overhaul. We are still working with 65 year old legislation, long past retirement age, and we look forward to working with government and other industry bodies to make tenancy law fit for the 21st century.
“It is also good news that the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed that, if implemented, ARTB will only apply to 1991 fully secure tenancies. This must remove the fear held by landlords that rights to buy could be extended to short-term tenancy arrangements.
“STFA also welcomes confirmation that the absolute right to buy for tenant farmers is to be considered as part of the review. It is high time that the emotion and rhetoric surrounding ARTB is put to one side in favour of a rational debate, taking into account not only the effect it would have on individual lives and businesses but also the impact it would have on Scottish agriculture and the benefits it would bring to rural Scotland.