Crofters to get 'a greater say'

Under the new proposals support for croft housing will be reviewed

Crofters are to be given a greater say in the running of the agricultural sector, the Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell has said.

New proposals include changes to the Crofters Commission, with up to six area committees which will see crofters elected by others within the industry.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise will lead the development of communities.

Meanwhile, the Registers of Scotland will have responsibility for establishing a new register of crofts.

Government-commissioned research - the Shucksmith Report - had recommended abolishing the Crofters Commission.

Croft housing

Mr Russell was responding to the final report of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting.

He said: "I believe that empowering crofters to take decisions about crofting is central to securing the future of the sector.

"By reforming the Crofters Commission to make it more democratic and accountable we will return power to those who know what is best for crofting and for their communities.

"One of the priorities of this government is to support and develop rural communities and I feel today's proposals will do exactly that."

Also proposed is a review of support for croft housing and croft agriculture with an emphasis on helping new entrants to crofting.

It is regrettable to say the least that they (crofters) are still not going to have adequate legislation until at least 12 years after the creation of this parliament John Scott Conservative MSP

It also calls for work to encourage the creation of new crofts, especially on public land, and a new crofting bill and a consolidation of crofting law.

Labour's Sarah Boyack welcomed the decision to keep the Crofters Commission, moves to release more land for crofting, and the commitment to a register.

But she went on: "Can the minister see how it can help crofters by making the Crofters Commission more cumbersome, bureaucratic and time-consuming, with lengthier decision-making?"

The changes would push the more difficult decision-making down to a more local level, requiring individual crofters to regulate their neighbours, she said.

For the Tories, John Scott said his party gave the statement a cautious welcome.

But he added: "It is regrettable to say the least that they (crofters) are still not going to have adequate legislation until at least 12 years after the creation of this parliament."

Liam McArthur of the Liberal Democrats said the minister had "ignored" Shucksmith recommendations on various crofting grant schemes.

"In a report that has aroused its fair share of controversy, why has he decided to do nothing about the elements of the report that were welcome across the crofting counties and the political spectrum?" he said.