DAVID JOHNSTONE

If you’re like me, you will be approaching the festive season thinking – where did 2017 go? It has been a year that has passed with something akin to the speed of light.

Perhaps it has something to do with the blizzard of issues, challenges and opportunities that keep coming the agricultural sector’s way.

This is the time of year where, inevitably, we reflect on what has happened over the last 12 months and – more importantly – take a peek at what’s around the corner.

The overarching issue for all farmers is, of course, Brexit and what the shape of farming in future will look like. There will be many more miles to travel on this and undoubtedly twists and turns to test our resolve.

As negotiations with the EU start to move to a new phase we can only hope the pace of progress quickens and we can start to see some of the much-needed clarity and certainty that farming businesses will need.

In this defining issue, it will be essential for those representing the land based sector to continue to provide both the UK Government and the Scottish Government with a crystal clear list of industry requirements and priorities, that are fit for purpose for the unique challenges that face Scottish agriculture

It looks as though 2018 will follow this year as being eventful in terms of continued activity to further improve landlord-tenant relationships.

Certainly this year has seen industry organisations striving to find common ground. As the initial advocates on an amnesty on tenants’ improvements, we have been pleased to see it come into being. Alongside this we believe the tenant farming commissioner has issued useful guidance and codes of practice on the amnesty and other areas where conflict could occur.

The Scottish Government’s desire to look at a new rent review system for 1991 Act agricultural tenancies is crucial for the future of the tenanted sector and we look forward to the imminent publication of a report on the work that has been undertaken since May this year.

Although more work will undoubtedly be required to implement changes, we do seem to be moving in the right direction. A continuing spirit of co-operation and dialogue will, I believe, serve the industry well, particularly as landlords and tenants will have to adapt next year to the implementation of further agricultural holdings elements of the Land Reform Act.

It should be clear to all of us involved in agriculture that dialogue does, in general, pay dividends. This applies to discussions round the farmhouse kitchen table between landlord and tenant to the broader policy debates at government level.

We are all united in the ambition to see a thriving farming sector in Scotland – and that’s a prize that we’ll do well to bear in mind as we move into the new year.

■ David Johnstone is chairman of Scottish Land and Estates