SEBG News
Crofting Bill "Fails to Protect Crofting"
3rd May 2006The Crofting Reform Bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament fails to protect crofting, MSPs were told today (Wednesday).
Giving evidence to the Environment and Rural Development Committee, the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) and the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) highlighted aspects in the Bill which they found out of step with the objective of encouraging crofting as a form of land tenure.
The organisations, which represent estates and land-based businesses throughout Scotland, raised concerns over the:
- Market in croft sales and lease assignations
- Role of the Crofters’ Commission
- Unspecified extension of crofting counties
- Extension of crofting rights to small landholders
- Division of crofts
- Leases on croft land
- SRPBA said the Bill further erodes the role of the landlord (whether traditional or community body) and whilst the opportunities for joint forestry and agreed development schemes are welcome, more could be done to encourage partnership between crofters and landlords. The Association also warned there was a danger of crofting being mistakenly promoted as an answer to rural housing problems.
SEBG voiced concern over the effectiveness of the Crofters Commission, the unspecified extension of crofting areas and the extension of crofting rights to agricultural small landholders.
Dr Jean Balfour of Scourie Estate, speaking for the SRPBA, said:
“This Bill without amendment may, perhaps unintentionally, actually damage crofting and in so doing jeopardise the very form of tenure that it sets out to protect and promote.”
“We encourage co-operation, with the development of compatible land use and employment opportunities within crofting estates, but we do not support fragmentation and individual speculation.
Iain Russell, for SEBG, said:
“Modernising crofting legislation is necessary and welcome but the greatest care must be taken to avoid legislative measures that will fuel the market in second homes and lease assignations that has developed in traditional crofting counties. It cannot be in the interests of crofting for the new legislation to create a system where people can make a fast buck, regardless of the future.
“Also, the legislation must not be allowed to create instability in the agricultural sector at a time there is widespread industry acceptance that stability is of crucial importance.”
Media Contacts:
SEBG: Ramsay Smith at Media House: 0141 220 6040. Mobile: 07788 414856.
Email: ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk
Polly McPherson: 07810 891831. Email: pollymcpherson@sebg.org
SRPBA: Dick Playfair, Playfair Walker: Tel: 0131 445 5570 dick@playfairwalker.com
Jackie McCreery, Legal Adviser. Tel: 0131 653 5400. Email: legal@srpba.com
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.
About the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association:
The SRPBA represents owners and managers of land and land-based businesses
in Scotland. The Association embodies a proactive approach to property
and land management, rural communities and enterprise, building on 100
years of experience.
