The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has called on the Scottish Government to ensure that tenant farmers are allowed the same opportunities as other farmers to participate in the renewable energy revolution.
Responding to Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead’s announcement at the Black Isle Show last week of his intention to develop an “Agri-Renewable Strategy”, STFA chairman Angus McCall said: “Tenant farmers face different challenges over and above the planning process, and I am disappointed that the Cabinet Secretary has not sought to identify these in his announcement.
“Firstly, tenants are already facing demands from landlords to resume land on which to establish wind farms and they have little defence beyond the planning process. Moreover, there is no proper guidance as to the compensation which they should be due for the inconvenience, disruption and possible disfigurement created by wind turbines.
“The tenanted sector requires a robust set of guidelines as to the level of compensation properly due to a tenant from the installation of wind turbines on his land, and the planning authority should be directed to assess the impact of the development on the agricultural operation, productivity and amenity of the tenanted unit.
“Secondly, although tenants are at liberty to develop renewable projects on their tenanted holdings, there is a lack of clarity as to whether this should be treated as a tenant’s improvement to the farm or as a diversification.”
Mr McCall added: “Legal advice is not clear-cut and we will be pressing the Government and landowners’ organisations to develop guidance so that tenants do not find themselves tied up in legal wrangles as well as having to battle through the morass of red tape that represents the planning process. I would wish to pre-empt the need for an expensive wrangle in the Land Court by creating a set of agreed rules within which both parties can work.
“A third of Scotland’s land is tenanted and tenants can make a tremendous contribution towards meeting Government targets, but they must be free to operate under the same set of rules as other farmers. Tenants must be allowed to benefit from the renewable revolution and not become its victims.”
Market round-up
John Swan Ltd sold 33 prime bullocks in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 222p per kg and an average of 202.9p (+3.9p on the week), while 39 prime heifers peaked at 216p and levelled at 196.1p (+4.1p). There were also eight young bulls that sold to 183p and averaged 167.3p (n/c).
In the rough ring 90 beef-type OTM cattle averaged 138.3p (n/c).
Over in the sheep ring 2899 prime lambs sold to £86 per head and 193.4p per kg to average 178.9p (-10.3p).
The 518 cast ewes forward peaked at £127 and levelled at £78.95 (-£1.15).
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