SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed the publication today of the Scottish Government’s Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill. The Bill will be debated shortly at Stage One in Parliament, with further scrutiny and an opportunity for MSPs to submit amendments before the Bill is voted on in its final form.
Commenting following the Bill’s publication, Alasdair Allan said:
“I am very pleased to see this crofting bill now being published, honouring a manifesto commitment from the Scottish Government to bring such a bill forward in this Parliament.
“The Bill follows significant engagement and consultation with stakeholders. It aims to simplify some existing legislation and make crofting regulation less onerous, as well as strengthening the role of grazings committees. I am grateful to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for their work on this front, and to all those in the Western Isles who responded to consultations and who gave input directly to the Minister for Agriculture during his visit to the Western Isles earlier this year.
“It has obviously not been possible for one bill to incorporate every idea put to the government. I understand some ideas could not be included due to inconsistency of views amongst stakeholders as to their potential positive benefit, or the risk of ECHR challenges. However, in my most recent meeting with the Minister, he indicated that he is keen that work on a number of these proposals continues with a view to their potential inclusion in a further piece of legislation in future.
“The themes that came through the consultation, however, are that we must ensure that all crofts are being utilised as fully as possible to support communities, local culture, rural economies and biodiversity.”
“I look forward to reading the bill as introduced in detail, and would welcome engagement with any constituents who would like to discuss the bill’s contents with me in the coming weeks and months as it progresses through parliament.”
A overview of the Bill, as well as a link to the Bill as introduced, can be accessed here.
