THE Scottish Government has stepped in with new legislation ahead of the Crofting Commission elections to ensure they run smoothly after a series of controversies.

Draft regulations have been put before the Scottish Parliament, ahead of the planned poll to elect Commissioners to the Crofting Commission, the regulatory body for crofting, next March. The amended regulations cover the process of appointing a new commissioner, should a vacancy arise before 2022, who should be able to stand for election, absent and proxy votes, and the maximum amount and process for election expenses, however, it will make no changes to the six constituency boundaries.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing said: “Crofting makes a vital contribution to the economy, environment and communities in Scotland’s rural areas. Next year will see the second ever elections to the Crofting Commission and it is crucial that our 16,000 crofters interests are well represented.

“This is an important time as we seek to ensure a strong and vibrant future for crofters, which is why it’s vital to have a Crofting Commission made up of people who represent and reflect the interests and diversity of Scotland’s crofting community.

“To achieve that, we need people with a commitment to ensuring a longer term future for crofting to stand for election. It’s also so important that all crofters make their voices heard by voting in March’s election.”

Last month the Crofting Commission disbanded two village committees in Lewis and one in Lochaber in a dispute over the way they conduct their affairs, then Ewing sided with the crofters at a private meeting and asked the commission to rescind its decisions and apologise.

Crofting Commission interim chief executive, Bill Barron said: “We urge everyone eligible to vote to participate in the upcoming crofting elections and play their part in helping to secure the future of crofting. The Crofting Commission, along with other organisations, will be holding a series of roadshows during October and November throughout the crofting counties to help crofters to find out more about the elections and the role of the Commission.” On March 17, 2017 six crofters will be elected to the board of the Crofting Commission.

The organisation is the only public body in Scotland where the majority of board members are elected by the people it regulates, with three commissioners appointed by Scottish Ministers.

One Highland crofter Fiona MacDonald, 49, of Strathkanaird, Ullapool, told The National: “Crofting facilitates a lot of Scotland’s agriculture, especially small scale agriculture that is managed by people who wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise; without it, the land would fall into disuse. Culturally, crofting is important and it’s a great tradition, but it’s important to adapt and change. That’s why we need crofters to be involved in the Crofting Commission, so we can truly represent the crofting community as only crofters know and understand the realities of crofting.

“Voting in the 2017 elections is really important – crofters need to vote in order for it to be credible and effective. I sincerely hope that crofting continues to grow in the future as an encouragement for the youngsters, like my son.”


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