Crofting Reform Etc. Act 2007
The Crofting Reform Etc. Act 2007 contains new provisions which allow the creatation of new crofts, bring neglected croft land back into productive land and extend crofting tenure beyond the crofting counties. The Act also promotes more sustainable crofting communities, more local involvement in crofting administration, simplified crofting regulation, more active crofters and gives crofters greater scope to diversify their activities.
The Act received Royal Assent on 1 March 2007
Many of the provisions will become law on 25 June 2007. There are a number of provisions which will require some changes to the Crofters Commission's operating procedures. As a result it will be necessary to delay commencement of these provisions until January 2008. Commencement will therefore be in two stages and will be by means of two separate Commencement Orders.
Sustainability
The Crofting Reform etc. Act 2007 also allows for the Scottish Ministers to issue guidance in relation to sustainable development of a crofting community. Sustainable development of a crofting community will normally include the economic, social and environmental well-being opf the community, but meeting the sustainable development criteria need not require meeting all 3 strands. The Guidance was issued by the Minister for Environment to the Chair of the crofters Commission on 21 January 2008.