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Return of Sporting Rates could put you in firing line
Landowners, especially farmers, are being warned to pay careful attention when completing new questionnaires on the potential introduction of sporting rates on their properties – or risk damaging consequences.
M alcolm Taylor, a rural land management Partner at Bell Ingram, fears that supplying wrong details could come back to haunt landowners, especially if they are trying to sell a farm in the future.
Malcolm said: " Owner occupiers should take time to consider what they are being asked. The questions might seem innocuous on the face of it, but giving too much or inaccurate information might lead to future unforeseen issues. I am not suggesting giving false information but give relevant information.
" From the information we have at the moment, there seems to be no clear indication as to how individual properties will be valued. Where there is a lease and a passing rent, then there is an obvious value.
" If somebody shoots over your farm with no lease it might be prudent to have something in writing putting the onus of paying rates on the tenant.
" But beware of unintended consequences. Does your lease cover vicarious liability or make reference to roads and buildings? Is there planning permission for the roads and tracks, and if a rate is levied for individual items will it take you over the Small Business Rates Relief threshold?
" The assessor can also look at the " potential " to shoot and levy a rate per acre, or a rate per bird shot or consider a mix of all three. He also has to take account of all the relevant costs involved in the lease or in exercising the right to shoot."
Following implementation of the Land Reform( Scotland) Act 2016, Shootings and Deer Forests are to be entered into the valuation roll with effect from 1st April 2017. This means that all who have the right to shoot will start paying rates on these rights.
To help the assessors calculate whether a rateable value should be applied, letters are being issued to all landowners across Scotland with a detailed questionnaire to complete and return for examination. Once processed, a rateable value will be applied, however should this be less than £ 15,000, the business can apply for an annual 100 % exemption, and will not face any charges. Malcolm added that it is questionable how much will be generated by the rates, based on the fact that the original rates were abolished because they cost more to administer than was collected.
He added:“ Assessments will be made by April 2017, and to avoid unnecessary appeals, everyone should try and give as accurate information as possible.
“ So the message is, if in doubt seek advice. But get it right because it could come back to haunt you in the future if you are trying to sell your farm.”
Established 117 years ago, Bell Ingram has 130 professional staff across 11 UK offices including: farm, estate and forestry managers; chartered surveyors, estate agents, architects, planners, and building surveyors; and tourism, GIS mapping, and renewable energy specialists.
Soil Association gives evidence at House of Lords inquiry on the impact of Brexit and agriculture
Dr Tom MacMillan, Soil Association Director of Innovation, today gave evidence to the EU Energy and Environment Sub- Committee at a House of Lords inquiry on the impact of Brexit on UK agriculture and food.
D r MacMillan emphasised the challenges already faced by farming – not only the immediate pressures on profitability and from issues such as bovine TB, but also the monumental task of meeting the UK’ s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 % by 2050 and reverse declines in wildlife. Brexit could disrupt efforts to address these challenges if it brings new uncertainty, compromises UK standards, or puts pressure our public spending. Yet it could help our efforts if, conversely, the UK takes the opportunity raise standards and to reorient farming and land use to deliver all that the public needs and expects of it.
Dr MacMillan said:“ With 83 % of the public expecting the same or higher standards as current EU laws when it comes to protections for wildlife and wild areas after Brexit, the UK must continue to commit to being a high standards economy. It is vital not confuse the public and business’ s shared interest in reducing paperwork with the quite different proposition, against the public interest, to lower standards.
“ Any future agricultural policy and subsidy regime must include clear objectives to support existing organic producers, and to help more farmers adopt sustainable methods so that they become the norm. Organic farmers and growers across the UK provide some of the best examples of how to farm in a way that restores soil fertility, boosts productivity, tackles climate change, improves public health, prioritises animal welfare, and reverses the decline in nature and wildlife. Consumer demand for better food is growing and the organic market remains in strong growth.
“ As the UK leaves the relative security of having guaranteed trading partners, we must stand strong when negotiating with new trade partners. Succumbing to lower standards would not only compromise opportunities for export – a focus for government – but also undermine the British public’ s confidence in animal welfare, food safety and traceability.”
The inquiry will help inform the Government, the House and the wider public on the priorities for UK agriculture before the Brexit negotiations begin.
06 | Farming Monthly | February 2017 www. farmingmonthly. co. uk