Scottish farmers and landowners are to be surveyed about their views on tenancy issues such as rent reviews and dispute resolution.
As part of the work of the Scottish Government’s ongoing Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group (AHLRG), a telephone survey of tenants, followed by a postal survey of landlords, will take place in the next few weeks.
Farm Minister Richard Lochhead said: “As part of the next stage of the research that is informing the very thorough work of the Agricultural Holdings Review Group, our researchers will shortly ask tenants and landowners about their experiences of rent reviews, waygo arrangements, fixed equipment and farm business diversification, and dispute resolution.
“The results of this research will help the review group with its recommendations for reforming the sector, and I encourage everyone who is contacted on our behalf by Ipsos MORI to take this opportunity to make their views known.”
The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) and Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) urged their members to take part in the surveys.
The STFA chairman, Christopher Nicholson, said: “Tenant farmers do not compete on a level playing field with each other let alone owner-occupiers, and this survey will help provide the AHLRG with a greater understanding of the situation, particularly with problematic issues such as rent reviews.”
Meanwhile, the SLE chief executive, Douglas McAdam, said: “Both ourselves and the NFU Scotland have called for cross-industry talks on a range of issues including rent reviews and we would welcome discussions with any organisation that will share our goal of helping the sector to thrive.”