The lack of a Highlands representative on the Scottish Government’s rural council has been criticised by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant.
The body has been set up to provide advice on the impact of Brexit on farming and to advise on future rural economic policy.
Ms Grant, who is Scottish Labour’s rural affairs spokeswoman, said the omission of crofters and anyone from her Highlands and Islands constituency was a serious mistake.
She said: “Rural areas have the potential to be worst hit by Brexit, particularly if vital European funding is not replaced by the UK and Scottish Governments.
“It’s therefore shocking to see the SNP government’s rural council has not a single Highlander or crofter representative.
“How can the government claim to effectively represent our area, when they not listening to anyone with direct experience of issues they are considering?
“The SNP Government must rectify this lack of representation as a matter of urgency, and look at expanding the council to include representatives from our community.”
Ms Grant has written to Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing to make her case and ask him to consider adding representation for the Highlands and the crofting communities.
Mr Ewing said the council would make its own decisions on members but did not expect the group to be up and running until autumn.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman added: “Appointments to the National Council of Rural Advisers have been made on the basis of individuals’ expertise and knowledge of the rural economy gained from living and working Scotland’s in rural communities.
“While the work plan is still to be agreed, we would expect the National Council to seek the views of a wide variety of stakeholders and representatives across rural, coastal and island communities. This includes crofting representatives and communities in the Highlands and Islands.
“We would encourage groups and individuals to engage with the council once it is up and running.”
