At a meeting of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sustainable Development Committee on Tuesday 24 September Comhairle Members agreed to write to Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity to express concerns over Crofting Law Reform.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar submitted a response to Scottish Government’s consultation on the matter which closed on 2 September 2024.
Discussing the consultation response in the chamber members highlighted their concerns that the Scottish Government’s suggested reforms would not do enough to address challenges faced by current crofters and those who would like to take on croft tenancies in the future.
Speaking on the consultation Cllr Donald Crichton, Chair of the Comhairle’s Sustainable Development Committee, said:
“It is years since Scottish Government last consulted on Crofting Law Reform. While some of the suggested reforms are to be welcomed this does not scratch the surface of the real action required to address the important issues currently facing crofting. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will continue to engage with Government on this matter to ensure that this vital opportunity to improve crofting law is not missed.
Cllr Norman Macdonald, Chair of the Comhairle’s Primary Industries Working Group, said:
“As an industry crofting is vitally important to the economy and culture of the Western Isles. To ensure that this continues in the future it is crucial that crofting law is shaped to allow those who want to actively engage in crofting the opportunity to do so. From discussions at the Primary Industries Group and the Sustainable Development Committee the view of the Comhairle is clear, these reforms do not go far enough and must be strengthened.”