Information Bulletin
3 May 2006
Crofting Reform Bill
Shetland gave evidence today at the Scottish Parliament on the Crofting reform Bill. This is an important stage in the process where the Environment and Rural affairs Committee hears directly from representatives of the crofting communities.
The reforms are designed to clarify the status of crofts and although there has been a lot of attention on vacant crofts this is not a major issue in Shetland. The Shetland position is to welcome the proposals including stronger regulation and the potential to create new crofts.
Economic Development Chairman Drew Ratter, who is giving evidence to the committee on behalf of the council said:
“Shetland has the biggest part of the crofting population outside the Western Isles, and I do think it important that the Shetland voice is heard in these sessions. We in the north isles see something highly positive in this bill, namely the properly regulated creation of new crofts as a serious tool for rural development, and consequently we would think it a tragedy if the bill was lost or damaged by ill judged amendment. I am aware of much of the negative publicity which has accompanied the recent debate, but feel we need to try to see the wood through the dense thicket of trees which have sprouted.”
“As a crofter, and somebody whose family on both sides have been crofters as far back as we can go, I share those feelings. I am clear sighted about the current state of crofting, believe in its past role in keeping folk in the far flung parts of the community, and am very optimistic about its future potential to do more along those lines.”
“I do recognise that the bill could have been more adventurous, but during all the consultation there were no voices ever calling for that. We certainly think that the overwhelming voice of crofting is for stronger and more transparent regulation, and would wish to see the mechanisms for that expressed clearly in the bill”
The importance of crofting as part of the social fabric has long been recognised in Shetland as a means of retaining and strengthening rural development. The Council is committed to ensuring that rural communities in Shetland receive as much support as possible and supports the proposals in the new Bill.
Further Information
Please contact:-
Mr Drew Ratter, Chairperson – Economic Development Forum, Tel:- 01595 744502
Mr Willie Shannon, Head of Economic Development, Tel:- 01595 744940
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