Crofting body 'should be scrapped' after half a century, says professor

Published on Monday 12 May 2008 22:11

THE body set up to oversee and develop crofting should be wound up after more than 50 years, a radical report published yesterday recommends.

An inquiry under rural policy expert Professor Mark Shucksmith says the regulation and development functions of the Crofters' Commission should be given to a federation of crofting boards and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The 98-page report, seen as the most important for crofting in half a century, aims to ensure that all crofts are occupied by an active, resident crofter.

It proposes tightening and simplifying legislation to crack down on absenteeism and the sale of crofts on the open market, while improving grants to make it easier for people to get into crofting and access affordable housing.

The changes would cost an extra 1 million a year, with a one-off cost of 3 million to set up the first register of crofts. The proposals will be debated in Parliament on Thursday.

Michael Russell, the environment minister, yesterday said crofting makes a unique and significant contribution to remote rural areas and action must ensure it offers a viable way of life for future generations.

During interviews with over 2,500 people, the committee heard the Crofters' Commission, set up in 1955, should be more accountable and enforce regulations more effectively.

It now suggests regulation be carried out by a Federation of Crofting Boards, a single body made up of seven to ten local boards each with a majority of elected crofters.

There are presently 17,725 crofts and an estimated 11,500 crofters. Most crofts are handed down among families, but recently it has become common to sell to the highest bidder.

The committee was told if this continues, crofting could disappear within 20 years.

It now recommends tying all crofts to residency, even after they are sold or assigned. It also wants a crackdown on absenteeism – with nearly 1,800 registered tenants classified as absentees – to free up more land.

The committee says crofters' rights of security of tenure and fair rents will continue, but argues they should only be enjoyed by those who want to use the land.

The report also highlights difficulties in accessing affordable housing with property prices rising by 58-85 per cent between 2001 and 2005.

Currently, crofters can obtain grants of just 11,000-22,000, but usually need an extra commercial loan.

The committee proposes offering means-tested grants of up to 30,000 and non means-tested loans.

Neil MacLeod, the chairman of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, said that he was pleased the committee had recognised the social, economic and environmental importance of crofting.

However, Rob Gibson, a Highlands and Islands Nationalist MSP, said that scrapping the commission was a blow for local democracy.

John Farquhar Munro, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West, questioned whether the commission's functions should be split.