News / Crofting law
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is urging the local agricultural community to make their views known on proposed changes to the crofting bill.
Earlier this year it emerged that under the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 tenants and owner-occupier crofters were not being treated equally when it came to their ability to decroft land.
Now legislation to correct this mistake has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
Crofters and anybody with a view on this issue have until next Friday (17 May) if they want to respond to the proposed changes.
Scott said people could either contact him with their views or respond directly to the parliament’s rural affairs, climate change and environment committee at racce.committee@scottish.parliament.uk
He added: “The Parliamentary scrutiny of this is very short and it is essential that the Scottish Government get it right. We do not want any further shambles impacting Shetland’s crofters and their families.”
Rural affairs minister Paul Wheelhouse said on Friday that the government had been working extremely hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
“This bill will provide legal certainty for all involved in the process on the competency of owner-occupier crofter applications to the Commission to decroft their land, including those already in receipt of a decrofting direction or those whose application is currently held in abeyance,” he added
Details of the bill can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Crofting%20(Amendment)%20Bill/b31s4-introd.pdf
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
