BICENTENARY OF THE SUTHERLAND CLEARANCES

21st February 2013

BICENTENARY OF THE SUTHERLAND CLEARANCES TO BE MARKED BY MAJOR IF CAMPAIGN EVENT

A major seminar highlighting the parallels between the Highland Clearances and land grabs in developing countries is being held at Timespan, Sutherland by the IF campaign.

Enough Food For Everyone IF is a coalition of more than 100 organisations across the UK which is calling for action to end the scandal of hunger.

Land grabs are a major cause of hunger – in developing countries land 26 times the size of Scotland was sold off globally between 2001 and 2010.

The land could have grown food for one billion people but instead much of it is used to grow crops for export, or for biofuels which end up in the petrol tanks of cars.

Those who rely on the land to grow food and feed their families are often evicted without consultation or compensation – sometimes forcibly.

The seminar ‘History Repeating? Land Grabs and the Highland Clearances’ will examine the parallels to events in Scotland during the Highland Clearances.

The event – which is free, but requires pre-registration – is being held on Monday, March 4, at the Timespan in Helmsdale, Sutherland.

Speakers include Humza Yousaf MSP, Scottish International Development Minister, along with Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, and Jacquie Aitken, Heritage Officer at Timespan.

This year marks 200 years since the ‘Kildonan Riots’ when an uprising by farming tenants showed the majority of the population of the Strath of Kildonan were unwilling participants in the changes forced upon them during the Highland Clearances.

The seminar will discuss how Scottish history can help to influence the global debate on land rights in order to protect the world's poorest people.

Judith Robertson, a spokesperson for the IF campaign in Scotland, said: “There are clear parallels between the turbulent events of Scotland's past and the reality right now for many people in developing countries.

“We can’t let the lessons from the Highland Clearances be forgotten. The clearances are a notorious episode but, right now, an area of land bigger than Loch Ness is snapped up by foreign investors in developing countries every five hours.

"As we help to mark the 200th anniversary of the clearances in Sutherland, we hope Scotland’s story can help influence the global debate on land rights.”

The IF Campaign wants stricter global rules to protect small-scale farmers in developing countries. It is asking the Scottish Government to host a Global Land Hearing in 2013 to explore how existing rules can be strengthened.