Expert warns crofting bill set for failure if diluted by ministers

THE man who led the biggest ever consultation of crofters' opinion fears planned crofting reforms will be watered down too much to be effective.

Professor Mark Shucksmith was in charge of the committee of inquiry on crofting, set up in 2007 after reform plans by the former Scottish Executive were strongly criticised.

The inquiry took the views of 1,000 people on the future of crofting ahead of the Scottish Government publishing the Crofting Reform Bill in December.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The bill proposes a reform of the Crofters' Commission to allow elected board members and a strengthening of powers to prevent the loss of croft land, and to reduce absenteeism.

One controversial element of the bill, to force houses built on former croft land to be used as main residences, was dropped following criticism by crofters.

Instead, the government will now press the commission to address speculation through "robust assessment" of applications to decroft.

Crofters gave the bill a cautious welcome but opposition MSPs predicted it would get a rough ride through parliament.

Prof Shucksmith has now sent a submission to the Scottish Parliament's rural affairs and environment committee which is scrutinising the bill.

He said the proposed legislation should only part of a wider reform package which includes support for agriculture, economic and community development, and housing, as proposed by the inquiry.

He said he can understand that many crofters may see the bill as "too much stick and not enough carrot".

He said: "It is up to the Scottish Government to convince crofters that the bill is part of a wider package of reforms which will ensure crofting continues to thrive into the future and which will attract young people to be part of that future."