A PARLIAMENTARY decision to introduce short-term let licensing has been labelled onerous and damaging to Scotland’s agritourism sector.

MSPs on Holyrood’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee have voted in favour of a Scottish Government proposed licensing scheme for short-term lets, over industry calls for a registration scheme.

Tourism bodies have been angered by the plans, raising concerns over higher costs and warnings it will force traders to close, whilst many are still in survival mode due to the pandemic.

Speaking from trade body Scottish Agritourism, Caroline Millar conveyed her disappointment in the decision: “Over a number of months significant concerns have been raised by hundreds of businesses that the introduction of short term let licensing will have a detrimental effect on not only existing agritourism and rural tourism accommodation operators, but will impact on those trying to come into the agritourism sector. This is at a time when a strategy for agritourism growth has been launched and farmers and crofters are looking to broaden income streams on farms to ensure that they have a sustainable future post Brexit.”

In a letter sent to the committee on behalf of Scottish Agritourism, Ms Millar wrote: “We believe that this one-size fits all, onerous and disproportionate licensing system will damage Scottish tourism and discriminates against small and micro businesses like self-catering and B&Bs, especially in rural and remote areas, who should be supported for a sustainable recovery from Covid-19.

“We question whether these proposals are genuinely fit for purpose, in the wider public interest and will actually address the required policy objectives. Conversely, we believe it will detrimentally effect thousands of legitimate operators, for no measurable benefit,” she stressed.

“The Scottish agritourism sector is concerned that industry views have been ignored and evidence provided has been dismissed.”

Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s self-caterers, Fiona Campbell, concurred that industry and expert advice has been ‘dismissed’: “Make no mistake, they will damage the Scottish tourism industry – which is still in survival mode – and will burden local councils at a time they can least afford it,” she warned.

“It also comes at the worst possible time for self-caterers and B&B owners who face an uncertain future with the challenges associated with Covid-19. Policymakers need to take these circumstances into account and support small and micro businesses through this and minimise the burden.”

NFUS’ head of policy, Gemma Cooper said: “We have serious worries about the impact of the proposals on our farmers and crofters who have diversified to offer self-catering and short-term accommodation. Such facilities have a hugely beneficial impact on local rural economies.

“Our view remains that these proposals to introduce an onerous scheme on small rural businesses are a sledgehammer to crack a city-based nut and we want further consideration of the views of industry to be taken into account when MSPs next come to discuss legislation.”

The Licensing order has been labelled draconian by a member within the SNP’s own party. Former rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing told the committee: “The fundamental difference between a licensing scheme and a notification scheme is very simple – Scotland’s local authorities will have the power to refuse a licence. That means the business will be terminated. Therefore, the difference is inherent and draconian.

“Tens of thousands of properties will now have some fear that their business will be confiscated – maybe terminated.”

However, the SNP’s Housing Minister Shona Robison MSP said that the self-regulatory registration scheme would not have the same requirements upon people to comply.

“That is the whole point that if someone is not complying, that’s unfair and not a level playing field and therefore should have their licence refused on that basis. But those who are abiding have nothing to fear from the licensing system,” she insisted.