The Committee has accepted the following Terms of Reference for its Inquiry:
The Committee of Inquiry on Crofting will engage proactively with crofting communities and others with an interest in sustainable rural development in the crofting counties and other areas of Scotland where crofting may have a role to play.
The Committee will identify and report on the features of crofting which distinguish it from other systems of land tenure and which are unique to the context of sustainable rural development in Scotland.
The Commission should draw on evidence and provide an analysis of the extent to which crofting, as currently regulated and incentivised, contributes to achieving the following outcomes across rural Scotland as a whole:
- sustaining and enhancing the population;
- improving economic vitality;
- safeguarding landscape and biodiversity; and
- sustaining cultural diversity.
Having regard to the mainstream programmes of the Scottish Executive, local authorities and other agencies, and in the light of its engagement with rural stakeholders, the Committee should identify a vision for the future of crofting in contributing to the goals outlined above. It should have specific regard to -
- the nature and impact of European and domestic programmes of public sector support for rural Scotland;
- the realities of existing, and likely future, funding levels;
- the constraints imposed by European law, European Community rules and the reserved powers of the UK parliament and government;
- the economic contribution of crofter agriculture to the local economy, and the significance of current public support in that contribution;
- the extent to which occupiers of small farms and crofts generate income from sources other than primary agricultural production, and the availability of financial assistance to encourage that;
- the demand for, and availability of affordable housing generally in the crofting counties, and the role of croft house grants in contributing to local housing supply; and
- the market for crofts, in particular their availability for exploitation by young people and new entrants.
In the light of the analysis and vision, the Committee should identify any administrative or legislative changes needed in:
- the basis for regulation;
- the role and functioning of the Crofters' Commission as a regulator; and
- the role of other regulations and incentives with an impact on crofting.
The Committee should provide a clear economic analysis of the impact and sustainability of the changes it recommends, including on the market in crofting land and housing.
The Committee's Terms of Reference are downloadable by clicking here