Sandy takes on top job
A KINTYRE farmer has mucked in and set to work as the new chairman of the Argyll and Isles Agricultural Forum.
Sandy Pirie from Machrihanish Farm took the reins from former chairman Angus McFadyen last Friday when he stood down after 19 years in the role.
Sandy, a First Milk supplier who has 200 dairy cattle and 30 pedigree sheep, said: ‘I was unsure when I was first asked to take on the position because Angus is such a hard act to follow. But agriculture is so important to this area, I felt I had to step up.
‘I’m looking forward to getting stuck in now and getting as many agricultural agencies as possible working together for the benefit of all farmers.’
Angus, from Bragleenmore Farm, Kilninver, was thanked for his significant contributions during his time as chairman.
Bill Dundas, principal agricultural officer with Rural Payments and Inspections Division in Oban, said: ‘Angus has given a great deal of his own time to the forum to secure a better future for Argyll’s agricultural sector over the last 19 years and it has been greatly appreciated.
‘This has been through his time chairing meetings and all the activity that goes on behind the scenes that many of us don’t realise.
‘I have only been involved in the forum for the last 12 years and in that time have seen the development of the Argyll and Islands Agricultural Strategy in 2005 and the delivery of tangible activities against that strategy. This has been far more than just a round table tick box engagement process.’
Fergus Younger has also left his role of development officer of the forum to take on a full-time role with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society.
In the 10 years he was there, Fergus developed and delivered on some of the strategic priority actions, including the development of the Food from Argyll brand, work on the Argyll Hill Lamb project, the island slaughterhouses, the working farm woodlands and, most recently, the work with Kintyre and Bute’s dairy farmers.
Bill added: ‘On behalf of the farming community in Argyll and the Islands and the other forum members, I thank both Fergus and Angus for the valuable contribution they have made.’
Angus will remain very much to the fore of agricultural policy development in his role as chairman of NFU Scotland’s Environment and Land Use Committee, having just been re-elected to this position for the second year. Sandy added: ‘Angus did such a great job as chairman over the last 19 years. I think he will continue to come to meetings so I’m sure he’ll be a great support as I transition into the role.’