Maldives The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF), formerly called the Scottish Crofting Foundation (also formerly called the Scottish Crofters Union), is an organisation of
crofting
Crofting is a form of land tenure and small-scale food production particular to the Scottish Highlands, the islands of Scotland, and formerly on the Isle of Man.
Within the 19th century townships, individual crofts were established on the bett ...
communities in the
highlands and islands
The Highlands and Islands is an area of Scotland broadly covering the Scottish Highlands, plus Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides (Western Isles).
The Highlands and Islands are sometimes defined as the area to which the Crofters' Act of 18 ...
of
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
.
The SCF's mission is to safeguard and promote the rights, livelihoods and culture of crofters and their communities.
Its magazine is called ''The Crofter''.
Scottish crofting produce mark
The Scottish crofting produce mark was introduced in 2008 to identify products produced by a
croft or similar small
agri-business that is located in
Highlands
Highland is a broad term for areas of higher elevation, such as a mountain range or mountainous plateau.
Highland, Highlands, or The Highlands, may also refer to:
Places Albania
* Dukagjin Highlands
Armenia
* Armenian Highlands
Australia
*Sou ...
or the
Islands of Scotland
This is a list of islands of Scotland, the mainland of which is part of the island of Great Britain. Also included are various other related tables and lists. The definition of an offshore island used in this list is "land that is surrounded by ...
.
[SCP Mark announcement at Rural Gateway]
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Only those businesses that qualify and are members of the Scottish Crofting Federation may place the mark on their products.
The federation states on its web site that it plans to enforce product quality, cleanliness and traceability, as well as ensure animals are healthy and reasonably treated.[Scottish Crofting Federation SCP Mark announcement]
/ref>
SCF
The SCF is a charity dedicated to safeguarding crofting and its cultural heritage.
Established and run by crofters, SCF engages with agencies and government at a local, national and international level to influence policy on rural issues including sustaining rural populations, food production and environmental protection.
It also provides a network of support to established, new, and aspiring crofters through training, mentoring and sharing of experience.
Importance of crofting
Crofting has sustained rural communities in many areas in Western Europe.
Crofting provides certain benefits to the local community.
Small-scale eco-friendly systems, as practised by crofters, is an alternative to industrial agriculture
Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of crops and animals and animal products like eggs or milk. The methods of industrial agriculture include innovation in agricultural machinery and f ...
.
Much of the UK's High Nature Value farming is found in the crofting areas.
Extensive land management methods have created and preserved the habitats of rare species now threatened elsewhere in the UK, and continuing crofting land use is recognised as having an important role in maintaining and increasing biodiversity.
Indigenous people
The SCF is currently involved in activities to encourage the UK government to recognize crofters as indigenous people of Scotland.[
.
]
References
External links
Scottish Crofting Federation home page
Crofting
Crofting
Crofting is a form of land tenure and small-scale food production particular to the Scottish Highlands, the islands of Scotland, and formerly on the Isle of Man.
Within the 19th century townships, individual crofts were established on the bett ...
{{Agriculture of Scotland