Economist and policy manager sought to help union campaigns

Scottish agriculture’s main lobbying organisation, NFU Scotland, is limbering up for 2018 by strengthening its campaigning team.

The union is currently recruiting both an economist and a policy manager to specialise in CAP and post-brexit support schemes as both will feature highly in the coming months, according to chief executive Scott Walker.

“We are 100 per cent focused on delivering for all farmers and crofters in Scotland through our ‘big picture’ work on Brexit as well as the bread-andbutter work of assisting individual members with problems they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

“Since the referendum on EU membership in June 2016, the union has built a positive case for Scotland’s farmers and crofters to be supported outside of the EU – via continued free trade with the EU; new, ambitious international trade deals; access to a nonuk labour pool and a wellfunded, refreshed agricultural policy that fits the needs of Scotland’s unique landscape and farming practices.

“Striking the right Brexit deal for Scotland’s farmers and crofters is critical. Our strength will mean that, as governments decide on the key issues that will affect us, Scottish agriculture will not be forgotten.”

The union’s planned increase in its team comes after posting annual accounts showing a profit before tax of £288,357, compared with £289,265 in 2016.

For the past year, the union has increased membership, especially from the crofting communities which now provide almost 10% of the membership.

Overall subscription income was up last year from £2.07 million to £2.12m, an increase of 2.3 per cent.

The widening range of affinity deals and benefits available to union members also boosted income, producing £106,974, a jump up from £31,975 last year.

“Our strategy to grow our affinity partners to put money back in the pockets of our members while at the same time developing a new income source for the union is paying off.”