|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
eNewsletter
16 January 2015 |
|
 |
Message from our CEO
There can be no doubt that the custodial sentence handed down this week to a gamekeeper convicted of wildlife crime offences will send a very strong message out to those who continue to break the law. The illegal killing of any bird of prey is unacceptable and anyone who engages in such activity can, rightly, expect to feel the full weight of the law.
However, this case has raised some fundamental issues regarding access rights and the law as it becomes clear that a central party to this investigation has chosen to totally disregard Scottish Government approved guidance contained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code regarding undertaking survey work on someone else's land. This is a serious matter in its own right, but it also reaches well beyond matters of wildlife crime, crossing into areas such as new development and planning work where it could have some serious implications.
The details of the new CAP continue to emerge, but the Scottish Government still have some key details to confirm, not least the definition of Sporting Estates and we have asked the Scottish Government to clarify the details as soon as possible so that members know where they stand. As we all know certainty is vital for successful business planning.
Members will also be disappointed to learn of NFUS’ call this week for additional measures to limit the ability of those that utilise contract farming or offer seasonal lets to claim direct farm support. It is disappointing that this part of the industry is painted as contributing nothing or very little to Scotland’s production and that the NFUS is looking for yet more complexity to what will be a heavily bureaucratic CAP regime.
Now that we have submitted our consultation on the new private sector tenancy we turn our attention to launching a public campaign on the realities of the impacts of the proposed changes. The Scottish Association of Landlords is working with us to raise awareness of the unintended consequences of the proposed new regime. Many of our concerns relate to landlords losing the ability to end the tenancy after the agreed contracted period unless one of a small number of specified grounds is proven – it is clear that this reduces the ability of the landlord to deal with problem tenants, causing issues for neighbours and other residents. Further information on this is provided below.
Douglas McAdam
CEO
|
 |
Landowners' Welcome Camping Proposals
Responding to a consultation on new measures to manage camping around Loch Lomond and other areas in the Trossachs, Scottish Land & Estates has said it welcomes the National Park Authority's pragmatic proposals.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
Renfrewshire Rural Watch
Following an increase in rural crime within Renfrewshire, Scottish Land & Estates has helped to establish a new scheme - Renfrewshire Rural Watch - which is being managed and supported through Elderslie Estates.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
New Biosphere Website
Members may be interested to see the new Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere website.
Read more
|
|
 |
Land Use Framework Consultation
A series of public meetings is being held during January, to encourage discussion on finalising the draft Scottish Borders Land Use Framework.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Scottish Land & Estates asks Scottish Government to Clarify Sporting Estates Definition
Scottish Land & Estates has asked the Scottish Government to provide a definition of 'Sporting Estates' so rural businesses will know whether or not they will qualify for farm support.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
Meetings on the Implications of the Agricultural Holdings Review
Scottish Land & Estates is holding a series of members' meetings across Scotland in early 2015 to advise members on the details of the recommendations from the Agricultural Holdings Review Group.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
NFUS puts seasonsal lets and contract farming in firing line
NFUS has written to Richard Lochhead this week asking him to find a way of 'firming up on activity criteria'.
Read more
|
|
 |
RACCE Committee Launches Inquiry into Plight of Dairy Farmers
The Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee is launching an urgent inquiry into milk pricing crisis.
Read more |
|
|
 |
Support for Scottish Dairy
Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Food, Richard Lochhead has urged retailers to do more to stock and promote Scotland's execeptional dairy products.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
Greening Guidance Updated Again!
The Scottish Government has released (on 14th January) another version of their greening booklet, which relates to direct farm support provided through the CAP.
Read more
|
|
 |
Water Abstraction Data Returns
Now that 2014 has passed, those who hold a water abstraction licence from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) should be collating and sending their data returns to the organisation.
Read more |
|
|
 |
German Biocides Paper
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has circulated a paper urging the European Commission to propose legislation that would promote the sustainable use of biocides.
Read more
|
|
|
|
 |
RACCE Committee Concerns Over Forestry
This week saw the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee publish its report on the Draft Budget for 2015-16. Its report included criticism about the ongoing tensions between forestry and farming, the cut in the Forestry Commission budget, the fact that planting targets are being missed and the size of tree health budget.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
PRS Reform - Action Required
Members are urged to make politicians aware of the realities of the impact of removing the no fault ground for repossession.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Golden Plover Award 2015
Applications for the 2015 award are welcomed from any owner or manager of land in any part of Scotland who can demonstrate a real commitment to sustainable moorland or upland management.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Scottish Rural Parliament's Newsletter
Members may be interested to see the Scottish Rural Parliament's latest newsletter.
Read more |
|
|
 |
Cabinet Meeting Dumfries - 26 January
The first cabinet will be held in Dumfries on 26 January. The public discussion will be held from 7-8.30pm.
Read more
|
|
|
 |
Parliamentary Bulletin
Scottish Land & Estates Parliamentary Bulletin for week commencing 12 January 2015.
Read more
|
|
 |
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Ministers answered questions inter alia on: freshwater pearl mussels, Scottish land reform Commission, croft house grant scheme, the Report of the Wild Fisheries Review Panel, and water abstraction from the River Spey.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Outdoor Guide Training Programme
Wild Scotland has been contracted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to develop a Guide Training Programme Outdoor Tourism Guides.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Heather Beetle News
Thanks to many people who filled in survey forms, the Heather Trust now has information relating to over 20,000 acres of heather damaged by beetle in 2014, with reports coming from 20 counties, from Cornwall to Wester Ross.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Scottish Land & Estates Statement on Gamekeeper Sentencing
Scottish Land & Estates issued a statement following the court case at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday where gamekeeper George Mutch was sentenced to four months imprisonment.
Read more |
|
|
 |
Scientists Discover how to Recover Fingerprints from Bird Feathers and Eggs
A newly-discovered method of recovering fingerprints from feathers and eggs could help catch those guilty of wildlife crime, according to scientists.
Read more
|
|
|
|
 |
Consultation Papers
Please click on the link below to see a list of consultations which may be of interest to members and how to get involved in responses by Scottish Land & Estates.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
