A total of 49 amendments are to be made to the Land Reform Bill, it has been announced.

Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod has moved for the amendments as the Bill reaches its second committee stage.

Last week, Dr McLeod announced the Land Reform Bill will be amended at Stage 3 to allow for the creation of a public register of persons who own land in Scotland.

The changes include:

• Strengthening the Government's Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement to make clear its purpose is to set out overarching principles on land rights and responsibilities in Scotland

• Strengthening how the Bill expresses the Government's commitment to human rights in the context of land reform

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• Strengthening how the Bill expresses the Government's commitment to public engagement on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement

• Recognising the importance of experience in land management and community empowerment when appointing members of the Land Commission

• Strengthening the Government's accountability to the public by requiring a Ministerial report on public consultation on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement; and

• Strengthening how the Bill expresses the Government's commitment to the Gaelic language in the new Land Commission.

Many of the amendments stem from suggestions from the Rural Affairs Environment and Climate Change Committee as well as other stakeholders.

Dr McLeod said: "We are strengthening an already radical Land Reform Bill – which will result in fundamental improvements in how land in Scotland is owned, used and managed.

"These amendments will help ensure the provisions in the Bill are far reaching and best deliver for the people of Scotland. This strengthened Bill will change the relationship between the people of Scotland and the land that we live, work and depend on."

(LM)