Union keeps in touch as lockdown cuts contacts
While few farmers found themselves housebound with no work to do during the coronavirus lockdown, the industry’s main lobbying group yesterday claimed it too had been working at full tilt throughout the crisis.
NFU Scotland this week revealed that engagement with the public, members and committees had increased in recent months, despite the difficult circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic:
“Since the lockdown was announced on 23 March, NFU Scotland staff and officeholders have continued to use innovative ways of communicating with union members as well as producing important messages for the general public on Scottish food and farming,” said vice-president Martin Kennedy.
Outlining the scale of the union’s activity at an on-line press briefing, he said that, despite the lockdown forcing staff to work from home and not allowing any physical meetings to be held, the union had continued to operate at full capacity with committees, working groups and the board of directors all meeting regularly.
“It is fantastic to see how the staff and members have embraced the different technologies available to us in order to keep in touch and keep our vital industry going.”
Every region in Scotland, from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, had held at least one regional board meeting during the last three months, said Kennedy.
Social media had also provided a key platform for the union to not only keep members up to date but also communicating with the public during lockdown.
“The union’s social media content included two hugely successful videos where Scottish farmers and crofters thanked consumers for their support and encouraging them to buy local. Involving members from around the country and produced in house by members and staff, they reached more than 250,000 people on Facebook.”
Work had also included helping address the labour shortage – with the union setting up a portal for furloughed workers to apply for farm vacancies on fruit and vegetable farms created by the absence of foreign workers.
“Politically, NFU Scotland has kept its foot on the gas and continued to lobby politicians and maintain the strong relationships which had been built pre Covid-19,” said Kennedy.
The union’s chief executive – and head taskmaster – Scott Walker added that the removal of travel time to attend meetings from schedules had also meant that staff and office bearers were often able to fit in three or four external meetings a day rather than one.
But Kennedy said keeping the lines of communication open with members was also hugely important.
“Keeping in contact with members was a priority for us the minute lockdown was announced’” he said.
“A message of reassurance was sent from our president to every member and from the figures for social media and the website, it is clear we have been successful.
“During these strange times it is important to listen as well as talk and along with the regional, branch and monitor meetings which have already been held, it is important for NFU Scotland members to know that we are still open for business and available to take their enquiries.”