ANDY Wightman's letter (April 30) on the Scottish Landowners' Federation's response to the Land Reform Policy Group's consultation paper is clearly based on what he has read in the press, or wishes to read, and not our complete submission.
In answer to the question posed by Lord Sewel's paper, ''how best to ensure that all crofts are actively occupied?'' the federation's full, submitted response reads: ''Concern about absenteeism should recognise management realities. A crofter may have to work away from his croft and not live at it because of lack of local jobs. A sub-let keeps the tenancy alive, and encourages continuity through family succession. The Crofters' Commission should not pursue absentee crofters unless there are very good reasons in individual cases.''
In the further interests of accurate reporting, the SLF is representative of all those who own rural land - not only private individuals, but a range of other owner types, including charities, and public bodies. It also represents professional firms who manage estates, albeit their clients may not be SLF members. It is without dispute the nationally recognised body which represents all those involved in the ownership and management of rural land in Scotland.
This exclusivity of representing just private owners is a label too quickly attached to the federation by reformers and the media. Our membership base is in fact far broader.
Andrew Dingwall-Fordyce,
Convener, SLF,
25 Maritime Street, Edinburgh.
May 6.
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