A top notch list of leading politicians, civil servants and industry spokesmen have been lined up for NFU Scotland’s annual AGM and dinner, taking place in St Andrews on Monday 9 February and Tuesday 10 February.
However, for Union members across the country, all eyes will be on Tuesday morning when NFUS will elect its new President and Vice Presidents.
The first morning will see President Nigel Miller, who is stepping down after serving for four years, give his final address to council.
In light of last week’s publication of the Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group’s Report – and Scottish Government’s current consultation on Land Reform - the early afternoon session on the Monday will be timely. It will feature Scottish Government’s leading civil servant Stephen Pathirana and agricultural lawyer, Hamish Lean – a member of the AHLRG.
Scotland’s newly-appointed Chief Agricultural Officer, David Barnes will then cover the implementation and transition to new CAP arrangements, in particular the Basic Payment Scheme.
The Monday afternoon concludes with Scottish Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael MP and Defra Minister responsible for farming and food, George Eustice MP.
On Tuesday, business opens with the election of NFUS officeholders. Standing for President are Allan Bowie, Rob Livesey and Andrew Moir. Mr Livesey and Mr Moir are also standing for the two Vice Presidential posts where they will be challenged by Andrew McCornick, Kelvin Pate and John Smith.
The Tuesday programme concludes with the annual address to NFU Scotland’s council from Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead.
Before standing down next week, NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller, said: “If 2014 was a year of intense debate, then 2015 will be a year about delivery.
“We will see a new CAP bed in; the vision for land reform and change within our tenanted sector will be taken forward and the outcome of the independence referendum and Smith Commission will see a Scotland Bill progress.
“These remain huge policy issues for NFU Scotland but thanks to the way our officeholders, staff and secretaries have gone out and engaged with the members at every level, NFU Scotland’s influence and reputation as a lobby organisation can be seen in the policies that have emerged in every one of these areas.
“The 2015 AGM will provide a platform to drill down on these. We will further expand on the emerging policies for land reform and agricultural tenancies. We will look at how new CAP schemes will be rolled out across Scotland and what that means for established businesses and those who are new or developing their enterprises. And with leading politicians from Westminster and Holyrood all contributing to the programme, we will hear their vision for Scotland and its post-referendum future.
“But it is also a time of change for NFU Scotland and a new officeholder team will be elected to take up role of representing our members at the highest level. An election – particularly one where so many hats are in the ring – always adds an extra level of frisson to our two days at St Andrews.
“The quality and calibre of the candidates ensures that, whatever way the council votes, the Union will be in sound hands.
“And in stepping down, can I say a sincere thank you to all those that I have met in my time at the Union’s top table – it has been an enormous privilege to be part of it all and to share the highs, lows and good times generated by our fantastic industry.”
