Farmers must speak up on land reform

FARMERS in Scotland are being encouraged to participate in a nationwide survey to help inform the Scottish Land Commission’s decision making and ‘make a meaningful contribution to land reform’.

The Commission is currently conducting two surveys – one for landowners and one for communities – to find out more about how private and public sector landowners engage with their local communities.

The land reform body is hoping to collect information on the progress that has been made so far while the results will go on to help shape future guidance and regulation changes to encourage more effective engagement with communities when it comes to land.

Chief executive Hamish Trench said: “Land is our most valuable asset. It is important to a variety of Scotland’s ambitions such as net zero, nature restoration and community empowerment.

“By listening to the views of landowners and communities, it will paint a better picture of how community engagement has progressed and how it can continue to improve in the coming years.

“Land can and should

work to everyone’s benefit and by engaging closely with those across the country, regulations and recommendations can be shaped to ensure everybody is included in that benefit.”

The survey was first run in 2019 to establish a baseline of knowledge for the SLC – and the latest survey has launched to look at how the situation has changed since.

The current survey will run until November 30, and the results will then be analysed and may be shared with the Scottish Government and other relevant organisations to inform future work programmes and priorities.

The survey for landowners and managers can be found here: https://www. smartsurvey. co. uk/ s/ SLCCtyEngage-LOM22/

The survey for community organisations and individuals can be found here: https:// www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ SLC-CtyEngage-ComOrgs22/