Paice becomes patron of institute

James Paice, the Minister of State for Agriculture & Food, has become the Patron for the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA), the professional body for rural bookkeepers and administrators.

From schooldays James has a long association with the countryside, having spent two years working on farms before attending Writtle Agricultural College and starting a career in farm management. In his youth and early twenties, Jim was active in the Young Farmers movement, representing the UK on the European Council of Young Farmers.

He became the Conservative MP for South East Cambridgeshire in 1987 and spent the majority of his time in Opposition as the Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. In 2010 he was re-elected as MP for South East Cambridgeshire for a sixth term, and the Prime Minister appointed him Minister of State for Agriculture & Food within the coalition government.

James ( or Jim as he prefers to be called) said " I am delighted to be to be involved with an organisation that is so passionate about agriculture and the workings of the farming life and who are aware of all the issues involved. I look forward very much to working with them"

Tim Cartwright, IAgSA’s Chair commented "We are honoured to have Jim Paice as our Patron, He will bring a new dimension to our organization and we welcome his support and advice".