UK Government proposals to stop Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) schemes from supporting drying has been condemned by Scottish Land and Estates.

The organisation said proposals to remove support for “drying” through the scheme – which would include drying wood fuels, crops, material used for animal bedding, animal feed and waste – would have a profound effect on businesses that have been encouraged to diversify.

The comments were made in response to the UK Government consultation into changes to the renewable heat incentive scheme.

The Government said using support money to dry material to burn “may not represent good value for money, nor contribute fully to the scheme’s benefits”.