Judgebyactions

Hamish Trench, chief executive of Scottish Land Commission (SLC), writes in The Scotsman (18 October) that Green Lairds need to realise their responsibilities to communities, the inference being that they don’t, something not based on evidence or the reality of modern landownership. Unfortunately, we believe that this approach is common to a number of areas of work from the SLC.

Private, public, community and NGO landowners already play their part in combating climate change through policies such as increased woodland planting and restoration of our peatlands.

It is unfortunate, however, that even the common goal we all share in improving our environment eventually comes back to land reform and arguments over ownership. No matter who the owner is, public engagement is important, but judging people on their actions rather than our perceptions of them is equally important.

Land-based business also understand that as markets and the environment changes, there is a constant need to evolve how land is used. The coming changes are highly complex and sometimes coninstead tradictory due to competing drivers for outputs from our land.

Reforming land law, policy and funding must have clear aims and be evidence led. In my view the aim of any reform is to secure a thriving future for rural communities and enhance our natural environment.

There is little time to lose and encouragement rather than veiled criticism should be given to landowners who will provide the significant financial investment required to deliver on ambitious climate change, biodiversity and economic which will benefit all of Scotland.

MARK TENNANT

Chairman Scottish Land & Estates Musselburgh, East Lothian