NFU Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to set up a specialist crofting forum to drive the sector into the 21st century.
The union, which represents more than 800 crofting members, has written to Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who has responsibility for crofting, with its request.
This follows Mr Wheelhouse’s attendance at a recent meeting held by the union’s Crofting Highlands and Islands Committee in Inverness.
Sutherland crofter Sandy Murray, who chairs CHIC, said: “For some time we have felt that there needs to be a national crofting stakeholder forum, which could meet in the crofting counties and which would have a wider remit than the existing cross-party group on crofting that meets at Holyrood.
“As a union, we appreciate and value the cross-party group but we are convinced that a stakeholder forum, with Scottish Government support and input, would be more effective in identifying issues and taking forward actions that would ensure the development and sustainability of crofting into the 21st century.”
He said the letter to Mr Wheelhouse outlined the union’s views on how support should be delivered to crofts and small farms through the rural development plan.
“We also have clear views on eligibility criteria being based on the total amount of in-bye land with an upper limit of total farm hectares being greater than 50,” he added.
“We have also asked the minister to revisit some of the current eligible options in the crofting grant schemes as we have some views on how these could be amended to make the scheme more effective. However, we appreciate that it would be more productive if these issues were discussed in an open forum with all stakeholders.”
He said a crofting forum would also provide a good platform to discuss the implications of land court decisions affecting crofters, act as a platform to encourage more law students to specialise in crofting law, as well as looking at how to attract new entrants into crofting and the creation of new crofts.
The Scottish Government last night said it remained firmly committed to securing a sustainable future for crofting, following a meeting with the Scottish Crofting Federation.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government recognises the wider benefits of crofting to rural communities, food production and managing Scotland’s magnificent natural environment, and we are firmly committed to developing the sector to secure its future.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Crofting Federation, the Crofting Commission and other stakeholders on the future of crofting in Scotland.”