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DRAFT CROFTING REFORM (SCOTLAND) BILL: Consultation Paper

2 CONSULTATION TO DATE

Land Reform Policy Group

2.1 Consultation on land reform in Scotland - including reform of crofting law - began in 1998 with the first consultation paper of the Land Reform Policy Group, which set out to identify the problems and opportunities which land reform could address. A second paper in the same year set out and sought views on various options for solutions and new measures. Finally, a paper in 1999 set down the Group's recommendations for action, both legislative and non-legislative. Each of these papers was widely available and the subject of public comment and advice.

The Scottish Executive

2.2 Taking forward these recommendations, the Scottish Executive developed a Land Reform Action Plan to take forward an integrated programme of action and legislation, including legislation to reform crofting law.

The Crofting Consultative Panel

2.3 The Crofting Consultative Panel was set up for the purpose of advising the Scottish Executive on each theme of crofting law reform developed from the Land Reform Action Plan. This Panel consisted of member organisations representing those with a direct interest in crofting, legal experts on the subject of crofting law, commercial organisations with experience in various aspects of crofting and land use, public agencies whose remit touched on crofting and land, relevant local authorities, and individual experienced and active crofters and landlords with considered views on the future direction which crofting should take. The membership of the Panel is given in Annex B of the White Paper on crofting law reform.

White Paper on Crofting Reform: Proposals for Legislation
2.4 Having considered the views of the Crofting Consultative Panel, the Scottish Executive prepared and issued the White Paper: Crofting Reform: Proposals For Legislation in July 2002. Around 2,500 copies were issued and 57 written responses received within the consultation period. Public meetings chaired by the National Farmers Union of Scotland were held in crofting areas of the Highlands and Islands at which the White Paper was presented and discussed by speakers from the Scottish Executive and the Crofters Commission.

2.5 Following analysis of the response to the consultation, separate meetings were held by officials of the Scottish Executive with representatives of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, the National Farmers Union of Scotland, and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association. The purpose of these meetings was to establish the views of these membership organisations on the implications of responses. The contributions made by these organisations greatly assisted the Executive in considering how to take forward the reform of crofting legislation.

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