Rural affairs

In 2021, the Scottish Government published its National Development Plan for Crofting, setting out the importance of crofting across the Highlands and Islands and the need for the development of crofting, its communities, its economic strength and its contribution to the environment.

The National Development Plan was accompanied by Scottish Government investment in a renewed development role for the Crofting Commission, and it also set out plans for reforming crofting legislation, which the Scottish Government is now building on with this consultation.

The Scottish Government consulted on its proposals to modernise the legislation which governs deer management in Scotland and ensure it is fit for purpose in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises, alongside a small number of proposals concerned with farm and kept deer.  

The Scottish Government consulted on its proposals to introduce secondary legislation that will permit and regulate the production and marketing of plant reproductive material of an organic and heterogeneous nature in Scotland, and on the proposed legislative method of delivery.

The Scottish Government consulted on its intention to ban the sale of peat-related gardening products and on the timescales for banning the sale of peat, in particular peat in retail and professional horticulture.

The Scottish Government consulted on its plans to introduce legislation to accelerate the delivery of the Community Wealth Building approach to economic development.

 

The Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Islands Committee invited views on a petition which asked for a ban on greyhound racing in Scotland.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs consulted on proposals to amend and supplement the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (VMR), as they apply in Great Britain. The VMR set out the controls on the marketing, manufacture, distribution, possession and administration of veterinary medicines in Great Britain.

  • Find out more on the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs website.
  • Read our response.

The Scottish Government held a consultation seeking views on proposals to modernise the unique legislative status of small landholdings.

The Scottish Government held a consultation seeking views on proposals on grouse moor licensing, muirburn and trapping.

The Scottish Government held a consultation on a new Agriculture Bill to underpin Scottish agricultural policy for generations to come and to assist in delivering the Vision for Agriculture.

The Scottish Government held a consultation on proposals for the measures to be contained in a new Land Reform Bill. The Scottish Government has committed to bringing forward the Bill in this parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government held a consultation on A New Deal for Tenants – Draft Rented Sector Strategy, seeking to improve accessibility, affordability choices and standards across the whole rented sector in Scotland. 

The Scottish Government held a consultation seeking views from stakeholders and the public on the current Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement and whether any revisions are required.

The Scottish Government called for views on its work to develop a replacement of the Common Agriculture Policy.

The Scottish Government called for views on the future of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, and the main proposal to amalgamate the two bodies.

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee invited written evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the rural economy and connectivity in Scotland.

The Scottish Government seeks views on the first draft Corporate Plan for Scottish Forestry.

A proposal for a Bill to enhance the consideration given to remote rural mainland communities by public bodies in Scotland.

Proposed by Gail Ross MSP, lodged 25 October 2019.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued a consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation on secondary legislation proposals relating to Part 5 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 – the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry examines how agriculture can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 whilst maintaining food production.

The Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into regional imbalances in the UK economy:

The UK Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has issued and inquiry into rural broadband and digital only services.

 

Emma Harper MSP has issued a proposal for a Bill to increase penalties and provide additional powers to investigate and enforce the offence of livestock worrying.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation on proposed amendments to the Animal and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

The UK Parliament's Scottish Affairs Committee has issued an inquiry on the future of Scottish agriculture post-Brexit.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has issued a paper on the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit.

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy has issued a call for evidence.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation on options to stabilise and simplify income support for land managers in Scotland in the period immediately after Brexit.

The National Council of Rural Advisers has issued a consultation in order to explore the opportunities Scotland’s rural economy presents and the potential recommendations for the Scottish Government stemming from these.

The Scottish Land Commission has issued a call for evidence on the impact of concentration of land ownership in Scotland.

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee has issued an inquiry to examine the cash machine network in Scotland following an announcement by LINK, the network responsible for 82% of all UK cash machine withdrawals, of a reduction of fees from 25p to 20p per withdrawal.

The Scottish Parliament's Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has issued an inquiry on post-legislative scrutiny. This will allow the Committee to look back and investigate whether established pieces of legislation within its remit are working effectively for the people of Scotland.

The Tenant Farming Commissioner has issued a consultation to review the operation of professionals engaged by landlords and tenants in relation to business conducted on agricultural holdings.

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee has issued an inquiry on digital connectivity in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation to seek the views of crofters, and those with an interest, on the pathway of any potential new legislation to reform crofting law.

The UK Government has issued a consultation to seek views on the specification for a broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) to be set in secondary legislation.

The Scottish Government has issued a consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders on the draft guidance about engaging communities in decisions relating to land which may affect communities.

Infprmatoion about ehe consultation.

  • Find out more about the consultation
  • Read our response t the consultation

Rural Affairs Sub-Committee

Our expert group on the law relating to rural affairs.

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Our responses to consultations

Our responses to recent consultations on various areas of law.

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Influencing the law and policy

One of the main functions of our policy team, along with our network of volunteers, is to analyse and respond to proposed changes in the law.

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In this section

60 seconds with the Society's Rural Affairs Committee Convener
Sophie McIvor spoke to Jamie Whittle about his career, being the Society's Rural Affairs Committee convener, and the recent response to crofting law reform.
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