Event: Creating Opportunities for New Entrants to Farming
Edinburgh, Thursday 28th September 2006
The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), which represents progressive rural estates in Scotland, said today (Thursday September 28th) the farming industry and the Scottish Executive should develop a comprehensive package of measures to help solve the problem of attracting new entrants to agriculture.
Roddy Jackson, Deputy Chairman of SEBG, said: "No single factor is responsible for the current lack of opportunity and therefore there is no one solution to the problem.
"Access to land is restricted by the slow turnover with fewer occupiers retiring. One in four farmers are over 65 and therefore measures which can assist the succession process need to be considered. Allowing houses to be built on or near the farm may be one provision which could make a difference. Direct support for new entrants is also required. The UK is alone in Europe in failing to introduce assistance of any kind for new entrants.
"For SEBG's part, we are committed to working with all those with an interest in an effort to identify solutions which will open the farm gate to young entrants. Clearly, without an industry able to attract fresh blood and provide opportunities to gain a foothold on the farming ladder the future for farming and Scotland's rural economy is very bleak indeed.
"It is every bit as much in the interest of agricultural estates as in farmers and would-be farmers that this serious issue is addressed and that we avert a crisis in agriculture in the future."
SEBG recommends that the Scottish Executive and the farming industry consider a range of possible solutions including:-
- The establishment of a new entrants' scheme as part of the Scottish Executive's Rural Development Programme
- Removal of tax barriers on letting land to new entrants and on treatment of Single Farm Payment as Scheduled D income where retiring farmer lets land to new entrant
- Relaxation of planning and development regulations to enable retirement homes to be built on-farm or nearby for retiring farmers
- Assistance in succession planning for farming businesses
Mr Jackson said: "Our member estates are committed to finding practical and constructive solutions. This is best tackled by a co-ordinated, united approach and we must work together to deliver the objective of securing the next generation of farmers.
"SEBG has already had a very constructive meeting with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs and we also plan to arrange a number of meetings with other farming organisations to examine how we can all take things forward."
Mr Jackson was speaking at a conference in Edinburgh, staged by SEBG, which debated possible ways to create opportunities for new entrants to farming.
Alex Salmond MP, Leader of the Scottish National Party, laid out his vision for the future for farming in Scotland when he delivered the keynote address.
Estate owners, managers, industry professionals and farming representatives from across Scotland attended the conference.
Professor Jeff Maxwell, chairman of the cross-industry Tenant Farming Forum, chaired the event. Speakers included former NFUS President John Cameron, Andrew Stewart, from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, and Alan Barr of Brodies.
Representatives from NFUS, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association also attended.
Notes to editors
SEBG represents a group of progressive land-based estates with significant agricultural and rural business interests. It aims to promote a modern business approach in the management of Scotland's land resource in ways which deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. The Group seeks to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for rural areas and its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.
