Rural communities are to get a “stronger voice” in formulating government policy, possibly right up to European level.
The key themes for the first Scottish Rural Parliament, to be held in Oban in November, were announced yesterday.
The main topics to be discussed by the 400 delegates will be business and employment; land use, planning and land reform; transport; protecting natural assets and adapting to environmental change; internet connections; and community support.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “My ambition for the Scottish Rural Parliament is to give rural communities a stronger voice and these emerging themes reflect the big issues facing those who live and work in rural Scotland today.
“It’s great to see the rural parliament making progress and the growing number of people getting involved which is key to its future success.”
Chairman John Hutchinson said: “This is a major step forward in delivering a collective voice for rural Scotland. We’re pleased to have had guidance from so many rural people in setting our themes and can now move ahead to create Scotland’s first rural parliament.”
Rural parliaments have been operating in Europe for more than 20 years connecting to the European Rural Parliament.
Recommendations from Oban could feed into policies made at a local, national and European level.