MSP demands "further reforms" to crofting legislation

Scottish Green representative, Ariane Burgess, argued that concerns over crofters’ access to public support, the crofting housing market, and a common grazing rights still remain an issue in the bill’s current format. 

The Crofting and Scottish Land Court bill aims to reform the practice, and recently progressed to stage three of the legislative process – where MSPs can table amendments and a final version of the bill is voted on to decide if it can become law. 

Having been in the works for a decade, the Bill has been developed alongside a wide variety of stakeholders involved in the historical framing practice, but many including Ms Burgess argued the bill does not go far enough. 

Ms Burgess said: “This Crofting Bill doesn’t do enough to address many of the ongoing issues that are blighting this key part of rural Scotland’s social and cultural life. 

“It’s disappointing, particularly given the Government has had so long to put this legislation together. 

“I’m hopeful that at Stage 3 I’ll be able to secure guarantees which will bind the next Government to explore further reforms after the upcoming election. 

“Without something in this legislation that guarantees further changes, I believe there’s a risk we could see crofting being undermined.” 

Included in the reforms is the merging of the Scottish Lands Court and the Lands Tribunal of Scotland, as well as changes to regulations making them less time consuming for communities. 

Earlier this month, the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) stated they were continuing to push for "significant changes”, after welcoming some alterations during stage two of the parliamentary process. 

Concerns were raised about common grazings, with the SCF arguing current wording gives landowners more extensive ground to object to initiatives. 

They argued this could lead to the commission being left to decide if these were substantial enough.