Award of Consultation on the Powers of The Tenant Farming Commissioner and Alternative Dispute Re...

Description

This submission seeks approval to finalise and launch a public consultation on proposed changes to the powers of the Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC) and the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the agricultural holdings sector. The consultation is being developed by officials in the Agricultural Holdings and Women in Agriculture Team, and social research colleagues.The need for this consultation arises from including issues raised by the TFC and stakeholder concerns and ministerial commitments made during Stage 2 of the Land Reform Bill, regarding enforcement limitations and amendments proposed by MSPs. These include enabling fines for breaches of codes of practice and extending who can report such breaches. Additionally, the consultation will explore ADR mechanisms as an alternative- option to the Land Court for resolving commercial disputes between tenant farmers and their landlords..The consultation will help inform potential future legislative amendments, and seek stakeholder views on i- the complaints process, enforcement powers, and dispute resolution options. It is intended for use by Scottish Government officials, ministers, and parliamentary committees to shape policy and legislative decisions.The consultation is scheduled for a soft launch in late October 2025, with responses gathered through online submissions and stakeholder engagement events. The final report is expected to be published by March 2026, ahead of the pre-election period.