SNP MSPS COMMENT ON CROFTING BILL

SNP MSPS COMMENT ON CROFTING BILL

SNP MSPs have welcomed today's publication of the Crofting Reform Bill by the Scottish Government and the efforts the Government has gone to to listen to the views of crofting communities.

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan commented:

“Today marks the long-awaited publication of the Crofting Reform Bill. There will of course now be ongoing debate about the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. However, I am certainly pleased that the many meetings which I and others have had with the minister about the concerns of crofters in the islands have paid off.

"The Bill no longer contains some of the most controversial elements which were in the Draft Bill, and which I know were a matter of real concern to many crofters.

"I believe that it is right that the Scottish Government have listened to crofters concerns in all these areas and acted on them.

"The Bill democratises the Crofters Commission, and gives it a new impetus and authority to deal with neglected crofts. It also provides the Commission with the means to stand up against poor planning decisions which have in the past sometimes endorsed the speculation of crofting land for housing.

"The task now is to ensure that, as the Bill now goes through Parliament we have a reasoned debate, a debate in which crofters themselves are fully involved. Crofting deserves that, if it is going to survive."

Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson welcomed the announcement, saying:

"This legislation is very welcome and long overdue in improving crofting regulation. In particular, I have consulted many constituents across the Highlands who will welcome new powers to reject decrofting in the wake of applicants gaining outline planning permission. This should be able to stem the haemorrhage of good croft land for housing speculation.

"As the bill progresses it will become even more relevant to building sustainable crofting communities for the future.

Fellow Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson praised the removal of burdensome requirements contained in the previous draft bill, such as the high cost of the register and the housing occupancy requirement:

"The Scottish Government is committed to developing a sustainable crofting sector, and the new Bill will set out measures to ensure crofting survives as a unique way of life.

"I have travelled around my constituency listening to crofters concerns and what they hope to see in the legislation. The SNP is a listening Government and that is reflected in today's Bill. As it goes through Parliament I look forward to scrutinising the legislation in detail and would urge everyone with an interest to make sure they give me their input as it travels through Parliament.