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'New dawn' as MSPs to vote on land reform proposals 'New dawn' as MSPs to vote on land reform proposals
(about 3 hours later)
MSPs are to vote on a bill reforming land management after a day of debate at the Scottish Parliament.MSPs are to vote on a bill reforming land management after a day of debate at the Scottish Parliament.
The Land Reform Bill, which will create a register of people in control of land in Scotland, has been heavily amended while passing through Holyrood.The Land Reform Bill, which will create a register of people in control of land in Scotland, has been heavily amended while passing through Holyrood.
A new Scottish Land Fund is also to be opened, with Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod saying there could be a "new dawn" on land management.A new Scottish Land Fund is also to be opened, with Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod saying there could be a "new dawn" on land management.
The bill is to be debated in the chamber throughout much of the day.The bill is to be debated in the chamber throughout much of the day.
Watch all the Stage 3 proceedings of the Land Reform Bill at Holyrood Live.Watch all the Stage 3 proceedings of the Land Reform Bill at Holyrood Live.
It has been claimed that 432 private land owners - 0.008% of the Scottish population - owned 50% of the private land in rural Scotland in 2012.It has been claimed that 432 private land owners - 0.008% of the Scottish population - owned 50% of the private land in rural Scotland in 2012.
A Land Reform Review Group set up by the Scottish government said of that statistic: "As a measure of inequality in a modern democracy, this is exceptional and is in need of explanation."A Land Reform Review Group set up by the Scottish government said of that statistic: "As a measure of inequality in a modern democracy, this is exceptional and is in need of explanation."
The Land Reform Bill measures include:The Land Reform Bill measures include:
A lengthy debate on the bill is expected, with more than 100 amendments to be discussed.A lengthy debate on the bill is expected, with more than 100 amendments to be discussed.
MSPs have said the legislation needs "more work" to deliver truly radical reform, while SNP conference delegates last year backed making it more "robust".MSPs have said the legislation needs "more work" to deliver truly radical reform, while SNP conference delegates last year backed making it more "robust".
Ms McLeod said the bill had been "significantly strengthened" by the numerous amendments made. Ms McLeod said the bill had been "significantly strengthened" by the numerous amendments.
She added: "We are seeing a new dawn for community ownership in Scotland. The bill will allow more communities than ever the opportunity to be involved in decisions about land that affects them.She added: "We are seeing a new dawn for community ownership in Scotland. The bill will allow more communities than ever the opportunity to be involved in decisions about land that affects them.
"The bill has been significantly strengthened since it was introduced last year, following discussions with the parliament and the public."The bill has been significantly strengthened since it was introduced last year, following discussions with the parliament and the public.
"I look forward to today's debate, when the parliament will discuss final amendments including the creation of a public register of who controls land in Scotland.""I look forward to today's debate, when the parliament will discuss final amendments including the creation of a public register of who controls land in Scotland."
Ms McLeod has also announced that a new £10m Scottish Land Fund to help communities buy their own land will open on 1 April. The previous fund awarded £9m to 52 communities across Scotland in three years, assisting in the purchase of 90,000 acres of land.Ms McLeod has also announced that a new £10m Scottish Land Fund to help communities buy their own land will open on 1 April. The previous fund awarded £9m to 52 communities across Scotland in three years, assisting in the purchase of 90,000 acres of land.
Speaking before the land reform debate, Labour's environmental justice spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the way the bill had progressed was "an absolute shambles".Speaking before the land reform debate, Labour's environmental justice spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the way the bill had progressed was "an absolute shambles".
She said: "There have been delays and a lack of transparency at every stage. That's why we now have an unheard of 130 amendments to get through.She said: "There have been delays and a lack of transparency at every stage. That's why we now have an unheard of 130 amendments to get through.
"History tells us it is important to get the detail right, which is why we've pushed for amendments to secure better rights for tenant farmers.""History tells us it is important to get the detail right, which is why we've pushed for amendments to secure better rights for tenant farmers."
The Conservatives are expected to oppose the bill amid concerns it will "disadvantage tenants, make it harder for new entrants and discourage owners of land from letting it, in direct contrast to the stated aims of the Bill".The Conservatives are expected to oppose the bill amid concerns it will "disadvantage tenants, make it harder for new entrants and discourage owners of land from letting it, in direct contrast to the stated aims of the Bill".
Conservative rural affairs spokesman Alex Fergusson added: "SNP plans for land reform across Scotland are rooted in ideology and will cost local jobs in rural communities.Conservative rural affairs spokesman Alex Fergusson added: "SNP plans for land reform across Scotland are rooted in ideology and will cost local jobs in rural communities.
"The proposals could lead to greater government interference in land ownership and an increase in the tax burden on rural businesses."The proposals could lead to greater government interference in land ownership and an increase in the tax burden on rural businesses.
"Overall, we cannot support a bill that will disadvantage tenants, make it harder for new entrants and discourage owners of land from letting it.""Overall, we cannot support a bill that will disadvantage tenants, make it harder for new entrants and discourage owners of land from letting it."
'Hostile debate''Hostile debate'
The Scottish Greens will press amendments to restrict ownership by companies using British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies such as the Cayman Islands.The Scottish Greens will press amendments to restrict ownership by companies using British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies such as the Cayman Islands.
Andy Wightman, the party's land reform spokesman, said: "Scottish land should not be owned by companies using tax havens."Andy Wightman, the party's land reform spokesman, said: "Scottish land should not be owned by companies using tax havens."
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has backed measures to strengthen deer management provisions in the Bill.The Scottish Wildlife Trust has backed measures to strengthen deer management provisions in the Bill.
But Scottish Land and Estates said landowners were being cast as "whipping boys in an increasingly hostile debate".But Scottish Land and Estates said landowners were being cast as "whipping boys in an increasingly hostile debate".
Chairman David Johnstone said: "Unfortunately, the debate has become feverish and instead of the focus being solely on delivering what is best for rural Scotland, time and again we have seen raw anti-landowner sentiment come to the fore."Chairman David Johnstone said: "Unfortunately, the debate has become feverish and instead of the focus being solely on delivering what is best for rural Scotland, time and again we have seen raw anti-landowner sentiment come to the fore."