A tenant farmer on the Glenlivet estate says the prospect of Crown Estate management being put in the hands of the local authority fills the farming community with “absolute horror”.
Following the outcome of the independence referendum in September last year, the Smith Commission was set up to deliver further devolved powers to Scotland.
Among the proposals put forward from the commission are plans to hand over the management of the Scottish part of the Crown Estate to the Scottish Parliament, and subsequently local authorities.
The proposals have created a wave of fear among tenant farmers on both the Glenlivet and Fochabers estates, who say they have a happy working relationship with their current landlord.
The two estates stretch across 68,300 acres – Glenlivet is the largest at 57,000 acres, while Fochabers is 11,300 acres in size.
The majority of the land – 58,800 acres – is agricultural, with the remainder forestry.
According to the Crown Estate, there are 357 tenancies – both agricultural and forestry – across the two estates.
Glenlivet tenant farmer Jo Durno says the farming community on the estates wants the farm management responsibilities to be retained by the current Crown Estate team.
“The plans fill the Glenlivet and Fochabers land-based part of the estate with absolute horror with the proposals that the local authority should take control of the activities,” said Ms Durno.
“The idea that Moray Council should take over fills us with horror.”
Addressing farm minister Richard Lochhead at NFU Scotland’s AGM and conference in St Andrews earlier this week, Ms Durno called on government to reconsider its plans and ensure the management of the tenant farms was not changed.
“We are proposing that if there is a change to the set-up of the Crown Estate that the land-based part should be retained within the control of the current office of the Crown Estate in Edinburgh – people who know what they are doing. We have good landlords,” she said.
Responding, Mr Lochhead said he had recently met with 70 concerned Crown Estate tenants to discuss the issue.
“We will consult with the sitting tenants as to the future management of the Crown Estate, if it is devolved,” said Mr Lochhead.
“I see it as an opportunity to put the future of the estates in the hands of the people that work and live there. It gives people the chance to take the driving seat.”
A Crown Estate spokesman said the agency was working closely with the UK and Scottish governments to help shape the legislation that would cover the transfer of management of Crown Estate assets in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament.
“In parallel we will help inform how the Smith Commission’s recommendation can work in practice as this moves through the various stages of legislation. Our aim is to share the knowledge that has helped us achieve and maintain high standards in asset management,” he added.
“The direct implications for our tenants and customers are not yet clear but all current agreements remain in place and we will keep their interests in the forefront of any discussions.”
Business would continue as normal until legislation was passed and a transaction plan complete, he said.
“We will keep our tenants and customers informed of the progress of these proposals and how they may be affected.”