The invited panel of witnesses includes land reform author and campaigner Andy Wightman; Andrew McCornick of the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) Rachel Bromby, Managing Agent of the Cawdor Estate; John Glen, Chief Executive of Buccleuch Estates and Andrew Prendergast of the Plunkett Foundation, which supports people, mainly in rural areas, to set up and run community co-operatives.
They will be questioned by the Committee on how the Scottish Government’s planned changes could affect key issues such as community right-to-buy for the benefit of local people now and in the future; gathering and accessing information on people and organisations who control land; and use of common good land.
Strong, informed opinions are also likely to be heard on the question of the Scottish Government producing a clear statement of land rights and responsibilities; and how a Scottish Land Commission could guide future policy.
Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee Convener Rob Gibson MSP commented:
“For people and organisations in Skye who may be affected by upcoming changes to land ownership and management this is a first opportunity for us to hear views directly on the issues that matter.
“The Government’s Bill covers significant issues such as land reform, tenant farming and deer management. It’s crucial that the valuable knowledge, experience and expertise of everyone in Scotland with a vested interest in our land’s future feed into our work where possible.
“At the Aros Centre the Committee hopes to hear views and opinions on the fundamental and important issue of how Scotland’s land should be owned and managed to benefit us all.”
This September the Committee will continue its scrutiny of the Land Reform Bill by visiting Islay, Jura, Fife and the Scottish Borders. They will hear views and opinions from a range of organisations and people, including estate owners, gamekeepers, policy makers, tenant farmers, environmental experts and community groups.
The Committee will produce a report on its scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill by the end of the year.
Background
The Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) scrutinises Scottish Government policy proposals relating to rural affairs, climate change and the environment.
Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee Public Meeting,
Aros Centre, Viewfield Rd, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EU
Monday 7 September 2015, 10:00 – 14:00
For a free ticket
Visit the website: https://www.scottish.parliament.uk/visitandlearn/28754.aspx
Call: 0131 348 5200
Email: [email protected]
Unable to attend the meeting?
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Aros Centre, Portree, Skye.
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill The Committee will take evidence on Parts 1-5,
and Part 7, of the Bill at Stage 1 from—
PANEL 1: 10:00 – 11:15
Malcolm Combe, Lecturer in Law, School of Law, University of Aberdeen;
Andy Wightman, independent researcher;
Steven Thomson, Senior Agricultural Economist, Land Economy,
Environment and Society Research Group, Scotland's Rural College;
Dr. Jill Robbie, Lecturer in Private Law, University of Glasgow
and then from—
PANEL 2: 11:20 – 12:45
Sarah-Jane Laing, Director of Policy and Parliamentary Affairs, Scottish
Land and Estates;
Peter Peacock, Policy Director, Community Land Scotland;
Archie Rintoul, Senior Vice Chair, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors;
Andrew McCornick, Vice President, National Farmers' Union Scotland;
Pete Ritchie, Executive Director, Nourish Scotland;
Andrew Prendergast, Development Officer, Plunkett Foundation Scotland;
John King, Business Development Director, Registers of Scotland
and then from—
PANEL 3: 12:55 – 14:00
Rachel Bromby, Managing Agent, Cawdor Estate;
John Glen, Chief Executive, Buccleuch Estates.