The most fundamental review of how Scotland uses its land was signaled today by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead.

The first steps were taken today when 70 specialists were brought together in Aberdeen to devise a programme of research, the most comprehensive study of its kind, which will culminate in Scotland's first ever land use summit next year. The meeting was opened by Mr Lochhead and closed by Minister for Environment, Michael Russell.

Mr Lochhead said: "It is time for Scotland to take stock and consider how to make best use of our rural land - our greatest natural asset.

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"The pressures on land are changing. Climate change threatens to alter the very fabric of rural Scotland. Warmer, wetter summers will change what plants we can grow, what animals will thrive and where people can live.

"These changes will be compounded by global pressures on food production, demand for land for house building, leisure and energy production."

Michael Russell said: "We need a debate on the importance of land as a resource for communities, land managers, land owners and for the country as a whole.

"To achieve that we need a better understanding of what types of uses Scotland's rural land can support and how we can make best use of it. We need to take an over-arching approach and explore the links between the different types of land use.

"This research will move us away from looking at land management in isolation to exploring the links between the different types of land use and the best way to cope with competing demands. Decisions must be evidence based to allow us to make the decisions which will ensure we pass on our inheritance in the best possible condition."

(GK/JM)