Friday 12 February 2010

Gibson calls for Grazings report

News release
Immediate release
12/02/10

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for local Grazings Committee to undertake and publish an annual report showing the condition of crofting holdings and grazings in each township.

Mr Gibson said that such local and grassroots involvement would act as a prompt to highlight the burning issues in each township. He further asserted that crofters would have no problems in identifying where re was activity and neglect in the land.Mr Gibson was impressed by the detailed and painstaking report from Camus Cross - a state of the township which showed in well-chosen words and pictures a 'doomsday book' view of the lively area.

Mr Gibson said grazings committees are a vital link between crofting townships and the Crofting Commission…

"Support for such a reporting mechanism would signify collaboration of local communities with the regulators to achieve change for the better in croft land use. The degree of detail required to trigger Crofting Commission action is not so detailed as to require hours of painstaking effort. ."

"The cherished rights of crofters were hard won. The responsibilities that come with these rights have too long been honoured in the breach. I am seeking a means to convey basic land use information to regulators. I see no reason why Assessors given new powers could not enable this process."

"This Crofting Bill is the last chance to get cooperative and collaborative action by crofters to take collective action to improve and sustain the land that gives them an enviable way of life. It is a small price to pay for the privilege."

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