The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New code of practice to deal with issues over sporting rights
guidance: Tenant farm commissioner looks to minimise conflict between tenants and holders of sporting rights
A new code of practice governing the management of relationships between farm tenants and the holder of sporting rights has been published by Scotland’s tenant farming commissioner.
Bob McIntosh yesterday published his third code of practice since being appointed commissioner.
He is one of six commissioners at the Inverness-based Scottish Land Commission, which was established under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
Mr McIntosh said the guidance – named the Code of Practice for the Management of Relationships Between Agricultural Tenants and the Holder of Sporting Rights – should be followed by agricultural tenants, landlords, agents acting on their behalf and the holder of sporting rights.
“It is normal for landowners who let agricultural land to retain the game sporting rights, and to exercise those rights either themselves or to lease them to a third party,” said Mr McIntosh.
“The aim of this code of practice is to minimise conflict between landlords, tenants and the holder of the sporting rights on tenanted land.
“The code explains that good communication and cooperation between the landlord, tenant and holder of sporting rights is key and provides a series of actions and behaviours which, if followed, should minimise conflict.”
He said the code had been developed with input from the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
“As with all codes issued by the tenant farming commissioner, if a landlord or tenant feels that the other party, or an agent of that party, has acted in a way that breaches the code of practice they are able to make a complaint to the commissioner,” added Mr McIntosh.
It is normal for landowners who let agricultural land to retain the game sporting rights, and to exercise those rights BOB MCINTOSH TENANT FARMING COMMISSIONER