Atholl Estates, Naomi Beingessner and the loss of existing good practice. The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) said:
formalising community engagement could have an impact on informal practices that have taken place for generations, which would be a significant loss to local communities.Written submission of NFU Scotland
For this reason, a number of stakeholders, principally large landholders and their representatives, favoured community engagement remaining voluntary.iWritten submissions including Scottish Land and Estates, National Farmers Union Scotland, Turcan Connell, Buccleuch Estate, Dunecht Estate, Drummond Estate, Atholl Estates, Association of Deer Management Groups, Bellheil Farm, Spynie Kirk Farmers SLE said that “further improvements in community engagement would be best achieved through support and inspiration than obligation which can result in the reduction of innovation and good practice”.Written submission of Scottish Land and Estates
Others disagreed.iWritten submissions including Jill Robbie, Malcolm Combe, WWF Scotland, Landworkers' Alliance, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Naomi Beingessner, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Environment LINK, Crofting Commission, Scottish Crofting Federation, Church of Scotland, Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Community Land Scotland Dr Jill Robbie said that while community engagement was already “very much recommended practice” a statutory obligation would be an important “step-up in Scotland’s land reform process”.