SEBG News
Scottish Estates say Royal Society report is a 'vital blueprint' for rural Scotland
8th September 2008The Scottish Estates Business Group, which represents progressive rural estates in Scotland, said today the report on the future of hills and islands published today by the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a ‘vital blueprint’ for rural communities.
David Gwyther, vice-chairman, of SEBG, said the report was an extremely important milestone in rural development and deserved ‘the most serious and urgent consideration’ of government. Mr Gwyther said:
“The Royal Society of Edinburgh has done rural Scotland a great service with the publication of this report. The society has laid out clearly what we must do to avoid a real and lasting crisis in our rural communities and its report is a must read for Ministers and civil servants at Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels.
“SEBG is pleased that the Scottish Government has already announced a review of rural land use in Scotland and we fervently hope that the Royal Society report will be taken on board.
“This is a wake-up call for everyone with the interests of rural Scotland at heart. Without question there needs to be a national strategic land use framework and it is very re-assuring that the formidable membership of the inquiry team concluded after a year-long investigation that much more needs to be done to support, value and understand farming in our most fragile areas.
“The Royal Society has hit the nail on the head in terms of seeking integrated social, economic and environmental solutions to the severe challenges our hills and islands face.”
For further information contact: Ramsay Smith on 0141 220 6040 or 07788 414 256
About the Scottish Estates Business Group
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.
