Breed society president to unite the membership

PLEDGE: Sir Jim’s vow after two Highland cattle stalwarts expelled

The new president of the Highland Cattle Society (HCS) has pledged to unite the membership after a winter of discontent following the expulsion of two long-standing members from the breed’s governing council.

The new president, Cambridgeshire farmer Sir Jim Paice – a former UK agriculture minister and briefly chairman of First Milk – said the society’s annual meeting in Oban at the weekend had given all members the opportunity to express their concerns about mistakes made in the management of part of the breed’s sale last October together with what he said was the “unrelated” expulsion of breed stalwarts Angus Macgillivray and Hilary Barker from the HCS Council.

The society’s website reveals the expulsions were related to a verbal harassment grievance against Mr Macgillivray by the society’s new secretary and subsequent “interference” by Ms Barker in support of Mr Macgillivray.

Sir Jim said the expulsions were made in accordance with the rules and the society took legal advice.

He added: “There was also concern over the health status of a fold in October. Errors were made in the management at the sale, but thankfully there turned out to be no livestock health issues.”

He admitted that with just 20 cows he was not an expert in Highland cattle, but said he brought experience in organising and managing organisations.

Muran Vallay of Ardbhan from the Macdonald family was the toast of the Oban Highland cattle sale, netting 6,800gns.