MSPs taking evidence on crofting reform priorities

Priorities for crofting law reform are to be the focus of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee in evidence sessions in the coming weeks.

Recognising that a significant amount of work has already been undertaken to identify and enact improvements to crofting legislation, the committee will hear from organisations representing crofters, crofting law experts and the Crofting Commission on action which may help accelerate progress in this area.

In addition it is inviting written views in order to:

• inform the Committee of the activity already undertaken by stakeholders and the Scottish Government in working towards a reform of crofting law;
• allow it to make an assessment of the priority action that has so far been identified; and
• make recommendations on any action it considers necessary to progress and complement the reform process.

Convener Edward Mountain MSP commented: "The committee understands the Scottish Government will bring forward a crofting bill in the next few years. Detailed work has already identified issues which the proposed legislation might cover, and the committee is working to complement this with its own review of priorities for change."

He added: “Crofting issues can be complex and often specific to a local area. The committee wants to hear views from those with direct, ‘frontline’ experience of crofting issues, and those who have a detailed knowledge of the law in this area. We have no desire to duplicate or go over old ground. Our objective is to identify the key priorities and establish whether there is any potential for delivering on some of these to quickly alleviate certain challenges faced by Scotland’s crofters.”

Click here to view the call for evidence. The deadline for submissions is 25 November 2016.

Oral evidence sessions will be held on 2, 9 and 16 November, followed by evidence from the Scottish Government in early December.