Benefits of a Common Grazings Committe

Shareholders in a common grazings appoint a grazings committee which is then responsible for the management and maintenance of that common grazings.
Grazings committees are registered with the Crofting Commission and are in office for three years.

A Grazings Committee is able to:
• Manage the Common grazings on behalf of all the shareholders.
• Create new or amend existing regulations which, if confirmed by the Crofting Commission will assist in the overall management of the common grazings.
• Carry out maintenance or replace existing fixed equipment, with the ability to apply for financial assistance.
• Manages the finances relating to the common grazings.
• Ensure that stock grazing is carried out effectively by shareholders, with the ability to allocate any unused shares on a seasonal basis.
• Complete a report to the Crofting Commission every five years, raising any issues of non-residency, inactivity, misuse or neglect.

The Grazings Committee have certain powers and duties under crofting law. Their key roles are:
Apportionment: The Crofting Commission must consult the committee in relation to any apportionment application on the common grazings.
Forestry and Development: Only the committee can take forward crofter forestry projects or alternative uses (beyond grazing or woodland) on the common grazings.
Enforcement: They can report suspected breaches of crofting regulations by shareholders.
Advocacy: The committee can represent crofters in their community, principally in relation to matters involving common grazings.
Appeals: They have the right to request a review of an apportionment.

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