This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Crofting Bill debate in Parliament
27/09/2006
The Executive's Crofting Reform Bill begins its stage one debate in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood today.
Deputy Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin set out new powers that the Bill will provide with the aim of securing the long-term future for crofting.
It will, she said, help to create new crofts, challenge croft neglect and extend crofting tenure beyond its Highland and Islands heartland.
She continued:
"Crofting plays a vital role in sustaining thriving communities across the Highlands and Islands. Our commitment is to secure the future of Scotland's unique tenancy system well into the 21st Century.
"There are so many important parts to this Bill. One of the key parts is the power to create new crofts to meet the unsatisfied demand for crofts.
"For the first time in over a century it will be possible to create new crofts on new croft land. Communities on Gigha, Colonsay, Shetland and Orkney are already considering how the new provisions can bring new population and fresh talent to their remote communities.
"On Arran there is strong interest in how small-landholders could convert their land into crofts with all the associated advantages.
"For the first time the Crofters Commission will be able to challenge valuable croft land which is being misused and neglected.
"We will consider further areas where there is still no consensus, particularly around the role and functions of the Crofters Commission, and allow this debate to develop in order to secure agreement on the way forward."
Line by line scrutiny of the Crofting Bill is expected to commence in November.