The National Farmers' Union has asked the Crofting Commission to bring forward a simple guide to best practice for grazing committees.
NFU Scotland, which has around 800 crofting members, made the request following discussions with the Commission on how committees operate.
Sutherland crofter Sandy Murray, who chairs the union’s Crofting, Highlands and Islands
Working Group said: “It is in the best interests of all, that any common grazings
committee operates with up-
“The Crofting Commission is best placed to deliver guidance and clarification to
any committee. If changes are needed, then a grazings committee meeting can be held
as soon as possible, all stakeholders notified and steps taken to ensure that their
grazing regulations are fit-
Mr Murray added: “NFUS has called on the commission to draw up simple and accessible best practice guidance on how grazings committees should be operating – clearly mapping out what they must do, should do and could do.
“The commission should then send this to all grazings committees and clerks along with the new common grazings regulations template and guidance – as available on the commission website.
“The union supports active crofters and the active use of common grazings. In order to help achieve this we believe that there are real benefits in common grazings being regulated and having grazing committees in office, for the benefit of the common grazing and the shareholders.”
NFU calls for clear guidance on village grazings
8 May 2016