Friday 15 May 2015

SGA LAND REFORM RESPONSE


Commenting on news that the analysis of land reform consultation responses showed that 71 per cent of respondents agreed with proposals to remove exemptions from business rates for shooting and deer stalking, Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg said:  

“The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has maintained from day one that, unless Scottish Government treads warily with the removal of exemptions from business rates for shooting and deer stalking, it could put working people on the dole on shoots with marginal profit and there are many of these across the country.
“We have held constructive talks with Environment Minister Aileen McLeod about concerns we have for our members and she understands great care must be taken to ensure these vital jobs are safeguarded in fragile communities.

“We will continue to engage with Scottish Government over how this is to be achieved, in terms of the detail and how the rating system will work to alleviate job loss. Our members, and the communities of which they are a key part, would expect nothing less of us as an organisation.”