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Reluctant Hero · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: Radical Ideas For Crofting

Being myself from the Highlands, this was a story that interested me.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7394008.stm

'Radical' ideas in crofter report

The inquiry surveyed more than 1,000 people in crofting communities

A "radical" blueprint for supporting the crofting system has recommended the industry's governing body, the Crofters Commission, be wound up.

An inquiry, led by Professor Mark Shucksmith, said Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and a new Federation of Crofting Boards should replace it.

It has also suggested all croft houses should be occupied, as a means to tackle the issue of absentee crofters.

Environment Minister Michael Russell praised the report.

Receiving the report during an event at An Lanntair in Stornoway, Mr Russell said the Shucksmith Committee was asked to consult widely and come up with "radical ideas" on shaping the future of crofting.

He said: "This is precisely what they have done and I congratulate them for it."

'Right mix'

Mr Russell added: "The government will now consider the recommendations of the report carefully and begin its work on a response.

"I look forward to debating the issues in parliament later this week."

The Shucksmith Committee has recommended the setting up of a new federation comprising seven to 10 elected local crofting boards to enforce regulation.

A central executive would supply staff support, finance and other shared services.

Local crofting boards would make decisions at a local level.

Development of crofting would be the responsibility of a new Crofting and Community Development body, which could sit within HIE.

The committee also recommended modernising grazings committees, transforming them into Crofting Township Development Committees.

Meanwhile, it has been suggested to tie all croft houses to residency.

There has been a controversial issue concerning houses being owned by absent crofters who do not live in the properties.

Prof Shucksmith said: "A key theme of our recommendations is empowering crofting communities, through the right mix of support, to take ownership and responsibility for their future."

Nationalist Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan and Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson welcomed what they called the "radical approach" taken by committee.

The previous Scottish Executive set up the inquiry which surveyed more than 1,000 people in crofting communities.

It found that many people feared for the future of the landholding system and small-scale agriculture.

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