Crofting Reform
Posted: Thursday 25 February 2010
The Scottish Government are currently consulting on proposed reforms of crofting law which aim to “place crofters at the heart of decision making; enable them to access finance on the same basis as everyone else; and tackle the corrosive effect of absenteeism, neglect and speculation.”
Of particular interest to individual crofters and landowners is a recent announcement by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham that the Crofters Commission is to tackle absenteeism and the neglect of croft land head on. We understand that absenteeism was cited in the recent Government consultation on the proposals as the most important problem faced by the crofting community. In the case of absent tenants, the Commission will seek proposals for the occupation of crofts. Ultimately failure to reside on, or assign the croft to another, may result in the tenancy being terminated and the croft re-let. Proposals for crofts to be occupied will also be sought from owners of vacant crofts who do not live on them. In the case of absent tenants, the Commission will seek proposals for the occupation of crofts. These proposals are seen as vital to sustainable economic development.
