IT could be quite revealing – a survey into the conduct of land agents engaged to act on behalf of landlords and tenants in matters relating to agricultural holdings.

The survey is part of the review of agents which the tenant farming commissioner Bob McIntosh is tasked to complete under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

He must complete the review and make recommendations to ministers to improve the operation of agents of landlords and tenants by March 2018.

The Scottish Land Commission has commissioned Research Resource, a social and economic research agency based in Glasgow, to carry out telephone interviews with a representative sample of tenant farmers and landlords to find out about their views and experiences with regard to the operation of agents.

Mr McIntosh said: “In order for the researchers to deliver a robust factual report it is important that we have a representative sample of both landlords and tenant farmers.

“Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary Information provided will be completely confidential. Research Resource will only report back results of the survey from tenant farmers and landlords overall and individual responses will not be traceable.

“The information will be collected and collated in an independent, open and fair manner and the findings will be discussed with key representative bodies before I make recommendations to Scottish ministers.”

A representative sample of tenant farmers will also be interviewed and these will be selected from the Scottish Government’s agricultural census database."

STFA director Angus McCall told The Scottish Farmer: “This survey is an important piece of work in providing the TDC’s review with real evidence of how professional agents are operating on the ground.

“Although most agents behave in a responsible and professional way, STFA has long been aware of bad practice which has always been difficult to substantiate. The TFC's review should now be able to put some facts on the table for all to see.

“STFA is well aware that there are still some individuals who seem to have a cavalier attitude in the way they conduct their business and we hope this survey will help flush them out and put an end to the bad practice which has given their profession an unfortunate reputation.

“There will, however, always be maverick landlords, tenants and agents who will continue to ignore codes of practice and codes of conduct and it will be up to the industry to convince them through peer pressure to mend their ways.”