NFU SCOTLAND APPOINTS NEW TOP TEAM

Nigel Miller takes on Presidency with Allan Bowie and John Picken as Vice-Presidents

Borders farmer and vet, Nigel Miller, has been elected as the new President of NFU Scotland at the Union’s AGM, being held in St Andrews. He replaces Jim McLaren, who steps down after four years in the role.
Nigel Miller’s Presidential team was completed with the election of Allan Bowie and John Picken – both from Fife – as Vice-Presidents.
Over the last eight years, Mr Miller has served as both Vice-President and chairman of the Union’s Livestock committee. Speaking after his appointment, Mr Miller said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be taking on this role. There can be no better job in Scottish farming than being asked to represent your fellow farmers and I am deeply honoured.
“In taking on the role of President, I recognise the huge challenge and the crucial period that the Scottish industry is entering. For many of our producers, the shadow of a dysfunctional market hangs over many of them and much of the assistance we need as a sector is under threat as budgets are being stripped back.
“The key funding source for Scottish farming remains the Common Agricultural Policy and the debate around reform at a European level is building momentum. I firmly believe the Union has a pivotal role in moving us into a new and better era post-CAP reform in 2013. To have won the support of members to lead NFUS is a privilege and I now plan to give my energy to that whole process.”

 Nigel Miller, Allan Bowie and John Picken were elected at NFU Scotland’s AGM, taking place at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews on 15th February.
 Nigel Miller farms at Stagehall, Stow, Selkirkshire. His roots are very much in beef and sheep production with 170 cows and 900 ewes. Stagehall is a Macaulay grade 5 LFA unit with cropping limited to fodder production with a limited acreage of spring barley for feed. Two of Nigel’s sons are partners in the business.
 Allan Bowie, of Windmill Road, St Andrews, has been Vice-President of NFU Scotland for two years. Allan farms in partnership with his wife, Christine in North East Fife, having recently sold the owner-occupied farm at Anstruther. He currently farms 640 acres under SLDT / contract farming agreements. The farming business is all arable, predominately wheat, barley, potatoes and vegetables. The majority of wheat goes for distilling, barley for malting, potatoes and vegetables to packers for the major retailers.
 John Picken, farms at Priorletham, St Andrews, Fife: a mixed farm, growing wheat for whisky and oats for his local OatCo producer group of which he is a founding member. He has a suckler cow herd put to an Angus bull and a few pedigree breeding ewes. He has recently acquired planning permission to erect a wind turbine and diversified into tourism providing holiday accommodation. He has been chairman of the Combinable Crops committee for five years.
 The retiring President was Jim McLaren, who stood down as President of NFU Scotland having served in the post for four years.
 The post of President is open for election every two years with a maximum of one additional two-year term if re-elected. The two Vice-Presidential posts are both for one-year terms. Members of NFU Scotland’s council selected the successful candidates. The Union’s council is a body made up from representatives of each of the Union’s 71 branches.