Crofting Inquiry - Rannsachadh Croitearchd

PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY COMMENTS THAT ARE DEEMED TO BE DEFAMATORY, LIBELLOUS OR INAPPROPRIATE FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY WILL BE DELETED FROM THE FORUM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Respondents felt that agriculture was economically important in most areas, although income from crofting agriculture plays only a minor role in the economy of most crofters’ households.

At many public meetings it was felt that good agricultural land should not be used for housing. Agriculture could become more important in the future, either through developing niche markets or because food production globally will become more important. Crofting agriculture was said also to be important socially.

Almost all responses emphasised the need for crofters to generate income from non-agricultural sources, such as diversification and/or off-croft employment. It was widely thought that there should be more support and incentives for diversification and less regulation and red tape.

the world has moved on in the past crofters invested their time in the land now to compete in a european market thay need to realise their capital to invest in their land as well as pay tax vat fuel duty council tax etc the same as any other business locally yet agricural business under crofting regulation is restricted by regulations that no other competitor in agriculture endures resulting in less income from crofting agricultural activity

Crofting is an impediment to earning an average income. The Committee has found that the average income for crofting families is £21,000 per annum. Working the croft, therefore restricts the potential to earn other income to only £14,500 per annum, whilst the croft brings in about £6,500 (largely in the form of subsidies). If crofters’ time was not taken up on the croft, then they would have the opportunity to engage in other, perhaps more lucrative forms of employment. This would be of advantage to both the (former) crofter and to the taxpayer as subsidies would no longer be required. There is, in any case, no reason why more viable farms could not undertake all the production and environmental work so far done by crofters and provide gainful employment. The extension of crofting at least to some extent reduces the possibility of larger commercial farming enterprises and gainful employment being created

Slavery died out a long time ago.
Subsidies, grants and all schemes available are not the be all and end all of crofting,
crofting is away of life, it is our life, the way we choose to live and not all of us want to work for "larger commercial farming enterprises"
Crofting is important, as it is a vital link to small and large communities where everyone has input to the economy of that community and further afield.