The Scottish government has been asked to create a new crofting bill which "fully meets the needs of crofting communities in the 21st Century".
In a new report, the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee said "comprehensive" updates to legislation were needed.
Among calls being made by the committee are that the new bill should fit with the "reality of modern crofting practices", and be relevant to the "needs and aspirations" of crofters and those who wish to be involved in crofting.
Farming union NFU Scotland has welcomed the publication of a review into the priorities for crofting law reform.
NFU Scotland has previously insisted that the legislation surrounding crofting must be fit for modern crofting practices, something that is reflected in the report.
'Fit for modern-day crofting'
Sandy Murray, NFU Scotland’s Crofting Highlands and Islands Committee Chairman commented: “The report will help the Scottish Government with its plans for reforming crofting law legislation to ensure it is fit for modern-day crofting, and that is something which we fully support.
“However, reforming the legislation is only a small part of what is needed to take crofting forward in Scotland.
“The work that NFU Scotland has been doing, along with the Crofting Stakeholder Forum, on the other priorities for crofting includes common grazings, crofting development, supporting new entrants, affordable housing and support payments for crofters. That work is still ongoing and the need for a strategic approach and a National Development Plan are imperative.”
Last month, the Scottish Government asked Scotland's Crofting Commission to take urgent action to improve performance in 'crucial' areas, describing some of them as 'worrying failures'.
'Should not be rushed'
However, Mrs Murray said that any new Crofting Act 'should not be rushed through'.
She continued: “It needs to be well-thought out and crofters fully consulted to avoid any late amendments that are not supported by crofters being added.
“Just this week NFU Scotland held a workshop with members of the Scottish Government’s Crofting Bill Team to highlight the issues and concerns that our members have. This ranged from differentiating between inactive and active crofters, and also how we ensure the use and management of common grazings.”
Committee convener Edward Mountain said: “Several crofting acts have been passed in recent years, making some useful changes but without fully dealing with all of the issues the crofting communities are keen to see addressed.
“A lot of work has already been done by crofting stakeholders to identify what the priority issues are, and the committee feels that a new bill is required which deals with these in a comprehensive manner.
“We also agree with many of our witnesses, who told us that before identifying what should be delivered from legislative reform, the Scottish government needs to develop a clear policy setting out the role crofting is expected to play in the 21st Century.”
