View source for Scottish Crofting Federation

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[[File:Scottish-Crofting-Federation-scaled.jpg|thumb|The official Logo for the federation.]]
The '''Scottish Crofting Federation''' (SCF), formerly called the '''Scottish Crofting Foundation''' (also formerly called the '''Scottish Crofters Union'''), is an organization of [[crofting]] [[community|communities]] in the [[highlands and islands]] of [[Scotland]].

The SCF's mission is to safeguard and promote the rights, [[Livelihood|livelihoods]], and culture of crofters and their communities.
Its magazine is called ''The Crofter''.

== SCF (Scottish Crofting Federation) ==
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.

==Scottish crofting produce mark==
The Scottish crofting produce mark was introduced in 2008 to identify products produced by a [[croft (land)|croft]] or similar small [[agri-business]] that is located in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] or the [[Islands of Scotland]].<ref name="annoct08">[https://secure.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=2419&d=11&h=24&f=46&dateformat=%25o-%25b-%25y SCP Mark announcement at Rural Gateway]</ref>

Only those businesses that qualify and are members of the [[Scottish Gaelic|Scottish]] Crofting Federation may place the mark on their products.
The federation states on its website that it plans to enforce product quality, cleanliness, and traceability, as well as ensure animals are healthy and reasonably treated.<ref name="scpbrand">[http://www.croftingfoundation.co.uk/index.php/scpbrand Scottish Crofting Federation SCP Mark announcement]</ref>

== Importance of crofting ==

Crofting has sustained rural communities in many areas in Western Europe.
Crofting provides certain benefits to the local community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-15 |title=More support for crofters to improve homes in remote and rural communities |url=https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/more-support-for-crofters-to-improve-homes-in-remote-and-rural-communities |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Scottish Housing News |language=en}}</ref>

Small-scale eco-friendly systems, as practiced by crofters, is an alternative to [[industrial agriculture]].

Much of the UK's High Nature Value{{Clarify|date=March 2009}} 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 recognized as having an important role in maintaining and increasing biodiversity.

== Opposition to marine protected areas ==
The SCF opposes [[Highly Protected Marine Area]]s, a proposal from the Scottish government to create [[marine protected area]]s.<ref>{{Cite news  |date=2023-05-09 |title=Crofters would be hit hard by HPMAs claims SCF chairman |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2023/05/09/crofters-would-be-hit-hard-by-hpmas-claims-scf-chairman |access-date=2023-06-10 |newspaper=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=Highly Protected Marine Areas could have "devastating impact" on crofting |url=https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/23515316.highly-protected-marine-areas-devastating-impact/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=The Scottish Farmer |language=en}}</ref>

== Indigenous people ==
The SCF is currently involved in activities to encourage the UK government to recognize crofters as indigenous people of Scotland.<ref>
{{Citation
| last = Hughes
| first = Mark
| author-link =
| title = Crofters fight for rights of indigenous people
| newspaper = The Independent
| pages =
| date = 19 April 2008
| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/crofters-fight-for-rights-of-indigenous-people-811791.html}}.
</ref>

== See also ==
[[Crofting]]

[[Agriculture in the United Kingdom]]

[[Agriculture in Scotland]]

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [http://www.crofting.org Scottish Crofting Federation home page]

[[Category:Crofting]]
[[Category:Foundations based in Scotland|Crofting]]


{{Scotland-org-stub}}{{Agriculture of Scotland}}