Co-operation is the key to weathering storms, industry leaders tell minister

CO-OPERATION within Scotland’s farming industry may be the key to weathering the storms now heading its way.

That was the message when Scotland’s farm co-op support organisation, SAOS, and two of its member co-ops – Grampian Growers and Ringlink – met Rural Economy Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing to discuss the potential for deeper co-operation and collaboration within the sector.

Visiting Ringlink’s headquarters at Laurencekirk, and Grampian Growers in Montrose, Mr Ewing heard from two of Scotland’s most successful co-operatives about the “co-op advantage” they enjoy by pooling resources and knowledge.

Mr Ewing said: “It was a pleasure to see and hear first-hand the very good work that Grampian Growers, Ringlink and SAOS are doing, not only for their co-op members but for the agricultural sector as a whole. A key feature of our vision for agriculture is that the sector, and the wider agri-food supply chain, is resilient to shocks and to future challenges.

“Collaboration among farmers, and between farmers and other parts of the food chain, builds such resilience as it takes advantage of economies of scale, shares best practice and benefits from a stronger price-negotiating position.”

SAOS chairman George Lawrie commented: “Co-operation is about self-help and accepting responsibility for determining our own future.

“Co-operative business is more crucial than ever for Scottish agriculture and we want to demonstrate to the cabinet secretary how our co-operation in farming, food and drink provides opportunities and resilience that are required for success in these changing times.”

Mr Lawrie added: “Scotland has an enviable reputation for the best natural produce in the world, but we need to be smarter, more efficient, more resilient, more innovative – and do all that with the right environmental credentials. We hope the visits allowed the Cabinet Secretary to see first-hand the considerable potential deeper co-operation provides to Scottish agriculture.”

Grampian Growers managing director Mark Clark, who is also vice chairman of SAOS, said: “Grampian Growers is just one of many success stories in Scotland’s agricultural co-op sector. We were delighted the Cabinet Secretary was keen to find out more about us and the huge potential for Scotland’s farming, food and drink industries through further co-operation and collaboration.”

Ringlink chairman Andrew Moir said: “We welcomed the opportunity to tell the Cabinet Secretary more about the work of Ringlink and, in particular, to highlight the immense value our internship programme offers to the future of our industry.” For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s The Scottish Farmer or visit thescottishfarmer.co.uk