‘Range of stakeholders’ on weather panel revealed

Members of the Scottish Government’s newly formed Agricultural Weather Advisory Panel have been announced.

The panel, launched by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing at the AgriScot event last month, met for the first time yesterday.

Its membership comprises: Chris McDonald from SAC, Stephen Field from environment agency Sepa, Mags Granger from rural charity RSABI, Neil Wilson from HSBC Bank, Scott Walker and Gary Mitchell from NFU Scotland (NFUS), and Kevin Mills from the Agricultural Industries Confederation.

After the panel’s inaugural meeting yesterday, Mr Ewing said: “Drawing on expertise from across our agricultural sector, the panel, when triggered, will act as a task force for rapidly sharing information, best practice and encouraging cooperation across industry to help farmers and crofters respond effectively to challenging weather conditions, both in the short term and in building longer-term resilience.

“With some parts of Scotland experiencing the wettest weather for 80 years, I am pleased that a range of stakeholders have agreed to participate in the panel.”

NFUS chief executive Scott Walker said: “Changing weather patterns and extreme weather events are testing the resilience of Scotland’s farmers and crofters on a more regular basis than ever before.

“This panel has the ability to learn from experience, share best practice and react quickly in times of crisis.”

NFUS chief executive Scott Walker features on the newly formed Agricultural Weather Advisory Panel.