Tenant Farming Commissioner makes recommendations for a modern list of improvements
Tenant Farming Commissioner makes recommendations for a modern list of improvements
Scotland’s Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC), Bob McIntosh, has provided recommendations to Ministers for a modern list of improvements to agricultural holdings.
Schedule 5 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 sets out a list of improvements which may be eligible for compensation when the tenant leaves the holding. One of the functions of the TFC is to make recommendations for a modern list of improvements in consultation with stakeholders.
Bob McIntosh said;
“If tenants are to be encouraged to invest in a holding it is important that the list of improvements eligible for compensation is regularly updated to keep pace with changing technology and agricultural practices.
“It is some years now since the current list was created and some structures and practices which are readily accepted now as being legitimate improvements are not listed.
The recommendations include the addition of several new items and clarification of a number of items on the list. I have also recommended that the list is reviewed regularly and any accepted changes be made relatively quickly in order to keep up with the changing pace of agriculture. This is an important step to encourage tenants and landlords to make improvements to a holding and contribute to a thriving tenant farming sector.”
