SEBG News
Estates group fears 'climate of uncertainty' over crofting bill
3rd March 2006The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), which represents progressive rural estates, said today (Friday March 3) that proposals in the Crofting Reform Bill which would extend crofters’ rights to small holders across Scotland could fuel a climate of uncertainty in the agricultural sector.
Sandy Lewis, a member of SEBG said: “There have been tensions in the past in Crofting Counties from the different rights to buy of neighbouring holdings where one is a croft and the other is a tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings Acts. The proposals risk creating new tensions in non Crofting Counties.
“Everyone working in the agricultural sector and Scottish Ministers have been working hard to ensure that confidence in the agricultural sector, which was hit by the debate over the absolute right to buy, is restored and maintained and Agricultural Holdings Act is given time to settle down.
“The announcement that the Executive plans to extend crofting rights to smallholders across Scotland may well put progress towards restoring confidence in agriculture at risk. We could have situation where a smallholder enjoys different rights to his next door neighbour and this could create real uncertainty at a time when the sector is crying out for stability. There should be a clear definition of agricultural tenancies and crofts.
“SEBG welcomes the Scottish Executive’s commitment to the future of Scottish agriculture and the thrust of Ross Finnie’s report today: ‘A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture - Next Steps. ‘
“We are also supportive of crofting and the Executive’s belief that it should be protected as a way of life. We are studying the Bill more fully but are concerned that some of the proposals may not have the desired effect of sustaining and developing crofting within the recognised crofting counties.”
For further information contact:
Ramsay Smith at Media House 0141 220 6040/07788 414856 or
Polly McPherson at SEBG on 01620 861898/07810 891831.
About the Scottish Estates Business Group
SEBG represents a group of progressive land-based estates with significant
agricultural and rural business interests. It aims to promote a modern
business approach in the management of Scotland's land resource in ways
which deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. The Group
seeks to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for rural areas and
its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic
development.
