ROG WOOD

Scottish Land & Estates (SL&E), which represents landowners throughout Scotland, said yesterday the Scottish Government has so far failed to conduct necessary economic and environmental impact assessments on its plans to re-introduce non-domestic rates on shooting and deer forests as part of the forthcoming Land Reform Bill.

In evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Climate Change Committee, SL&E said the Scottish Government's proposed measures could pose a serious threat to the rural economy and conservation.

Douglas McAdam, chief executive of SL&E gave evidence to the committee yesterday and said further due diligence was needed to prevent "perverse outcomes" from the legislation.

In its written evidence SL&E said: "The Scottish Government has failed to undertake an economic impact assessment and therefore cannot show that the reintroduction of rates would raise funds or that it would not have a serious detrimental impact on rural businesses and land management.

"It is hard to see what the Scottish Government is trying to achieve with this policy and we believe it is unfair to single out one of the three main rural land uses of sporting, agriculture and forestry without a clear view of how it is justified, how it will be applied and what consequences it may have.

"We have seen no evidence that reintroduction of sporting rate will achieve economic growth and we are concerned it may actually decrease investment and employment, and have a detrimental impact on conservation efforts while raising no net funds. We hope that the scrutiny that these proposals are being subject to in the Scottish Parliament will address these very significant issues."

Market round-up

United Auctions had 8118 breeding sheep at their second Scotch Mule ewe lamb sale at Stirling on Tuesday when a new record was set at £320 for a Mule ewe lamb consigned by Mr G Donald, North Denhead.

Averages: Mule ewe lambs £74.52 (-£7.64 on the year); Mule gimmers £106.28 (-£33.28); TexelX gimmers £80.76 (-£38.74).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had a smaller show of 830 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday mainly because of vendors reluctance to sell at the current depressed rates. Top prices on the day were £76 per head and 158p per kg with the final average levelling at 139.4p (-9.2p on the week).

There were also 763 cast sheep forward that included 517 Blackface ewes that sold to £55.50 and averaged £41.80, while heavy ewes peaked at £104 for Texels.