Union raises its game on women in agriculture

With a female candidate – vice-president Minette Batters – currently the hot favourite amongst tipsters to be elected as the next English NFU president in a few weeks time, the Scottish union might have a way to go before it gains such representation.

However, at a recent press briefing the union claimed it had made considerable progress over the past 12 months in its efforts to engage with more of the women who play so many key roles in the industry.

And the current top table said that the organisation was looking to build on this with the aim of further regional women’s groups in 2018, attracting more women to general meetings and improving regional contacts for the female of the species.

However, office holders admitted that they had a careful line to tread – as it had been made apparent that any move towards positive discrimination was likely to be viewed as patronising, with the NFUS taking on board the message that women wanted to be recognised on their merit rather than simply because they were female.

“We’re certainly more than aware that this is a key area to be addressed,” said

0 Women’s role in farming is recognised by NFUS chiefs union president Andrew Mccornick, “but rather than forcing the issue we want to see an evolution rather than an revolution – basically by making the union as a whole, and its meetings in particular, a bit more welcoming and inclusive.”

However, stating that there was certainly no bias within the organisation, he pointed to the union’s professional staff where he said there was a better balance of the sexes.

Commenting on the two well-attended regional women in agriculture events, held in Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll and the Islands earlier in the year, he said they had been well received and had helped to encourage more women in agriculture to become involved with the union.

He said that as well as more such meetings, the union also aimed to encourage more female members along to local meetings and events.

“Groups and events which encourage women in our industry, many of whom would not usually attend our meetings, are vital to the proper representation of all our members,” said Mccornick.

“I believe that the best way to improve representation is to start at a local and regional level and build from there.”