Candidates for top union posts to set out stall

Hustings in Perth ahead of NFUS elections

The six men who have their sights set on NFU Scotland’s top roles will set out their stalls at a hustings in Perth on Thursday evening.

Farmers’ union members from across central Scotland can hear from the candidates at the Huntingtower Hotel at 7.30pm.

The candidates will also spend the next 10 days travelling the length and breadth of the country to speak at meetings in Dingwall, Tarbert, Cumnock, Castle Douglas, Carfraemill, Inverurie and Kirkwall, concluding in Lerwick on Shetland on January 20.

The current president Allan Bowie and sitting vice-presidents Rob Livesey and Andrew McCornick will contest the presidential position.

This attracts a salary £60,000.

The two vice-presidential roles will be decided between Aberfeldy hill farmer Martin Kennedy, Biggar upland farmer Tom French, and Stranraer dairy farmer chairman Gary Mitchell. These roles earn £30,548 per annum. The election takes place at the union’s council meeting in Glasgow on February 7, the day after the NFUS annual meeting and dinner.

Union chief executive Scott Walker welcomed the election as the sign of a healthy and vibrant union.

He added: “They all have the skills and experience to do a great job for NFUS. of around

“This is their opportunity to convince members that they have a role to play for the union as we tackle the major challenges ahead.

“With Brexit decisions looming and future agricultural policy in the UK and Scotland up for debate, we need the right people in place to drive forward policies that are in the very best interests of our farmers and crofters.”

Mr Walker urged all members to take the opportunity to hear from the candidates.

“The decision the membership must make is who should lead this union for the next 24 months as we negotiate some of the most challenging times faced by the union in its 104-year history,” he said.