Union seeks views on women in NFUS

Farmers’ Union Scotland is seeking views from its membership about engaging women in union work and the perceived barriers for those who wish to get involved.

The survey ties in with the union’s wider work on encouraging more women to get involved at all levels – from grassroots to the board. And it is hoped that through the responses, the union can seek to address any issues that women are experiencing when trying to do this.

The survey, open to NFU Scotland members, will run from Thursday January 5 to Monday February 13, and can be filled out by visiting http://bit.ly/ 2jeKJ0r.

Gemma Cooper, policy manager for NFU Scotland, commented: ‘We have been considering internally what the reasons may be for an apparently lower level of woman engaging with the union than men and as a result of this, NFU Scotland is now seeking to obtain views directly from its membership.

‘I would urge as many members as possible to complete this survey as we are reliant on this to give us a steer on how best to proceed, and we are very keen that this is a membership-led initiative. This is a unique opportunity for woman to make their views heard.

‘NFUS will be holding a drop-in session on women in agriculture at its conference in February, where members are welcome to drop in to speak to us directly. In addition to this, I would urge any female members who want to make their views known to contact either regional staff or head office.’