Baird appointed new SOPA chair

NEW SOPA chair Roger Baird

ORGANIC grain trader, Roger Baird, has been appointed the new chair of the Scottish Organic Producers Organisation (SOPA) after seven years on the board.

Mr Baird will follow Edward Smith, chair for five years, but who will remain on the SOPA board as director.

Mr Baird said: “I began trading organic combinable crops some 20 years ago and joined the SOPA board in 2015. My predecessor, Edward Smith has put SOPA in a very strong position, with a healthy balance sheet and most recently the addition of Jo Barron and Becky MacAngus to our marketing, lobbying and communications efforts. I offer my thanks to Ed for his significant contribution to SOPA.

“I believe the present farming environment is at the crux of Scottish Government’s Vision to make Scottish agriculture more sustainable, protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. No other means of food production offers the proven suite of complementary benefits to deliver the gold standard for sustainable agriculture.

“From my experience any growth in the organic sector must be tailored to demand to avoid the oversupply we witnessed a decade ago and the subsequent dismantling of organic premia, leading to market disruption.

“We want to help our members maintain a sustainable and steady growth of their businesses so they can continue to offer the wide environmental benefits associated with organic food production. Our emphasis on nutritional value, chemical-free food, and soil health will be at the very heart of our work in what looks to be a bright future.”

Gordon Whiteford, of Lower Mill of Tynet, Fochabers, remains vice-chair.