Crofting Bill amendment needs scrutinised to avoid ‘further shambles’

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee is seeking views on the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill aims to address issues in the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 arising from amendments made by the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 which have left tenant and owner-occupier crofters not being treated equally in terms of their ability to decroft land.

Commenting, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: “I have received a large number of representations from constituents over recent months, expressing concern about the Scottish Government’s crofting legislation and its implications for owner occupiers in Orkney.”

“Given the importance of this issue, and the very short timescales for consulting on and agreeing the final wording, I would encourage any crofter who has views on this can to either let me know as soon as possible or send their written submissions directly to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs Committee before the deadline on Friday 17 May.

“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 Orkney’s crofters and their families.”