SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has encouraged crofters in the Western Isles to ensure their voices are heard as part of the Scottish Government’s Crofting Bill consultation.
The consultation sets out a range of proposals for crofting reform, and aims to enable and support the sustainability, modernisation, and diversification of crofting and crofting communities. In the consultation, crofters are invited to give their views and opinions on the suggested proposals and changes to crofting law. Topics include entry to crofting, crofting communities, use of common grazings, strengthening residency and land use, and enhanced Crofting Commission powers.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:
“Crofting continues to play a hugely important role here in the Western Isles, and it is imperative that crofters’ lived experience and views are firmly at the heart of this much-needed legislative reform.
“As well as its cultural value, crofting is a low-impact, sustainable form of agriculture that exemplifies the type of relationship with the land that the country needs to continue to pursue as we move towards net zero and more environmentally-friendly food production.
“I would urge crofters in the islands to participate in this consultation before the deadline in a month’s time.”
The consultation is open until the 2nd September, and is available at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/crofting-consultation-2024-proposals-crofting-law-reform/pages/1/
