STARTING GUN FIRED ON NFUS ELECTION RACE

Nominations are now being sought for the position of President and the two Vice Presidential positions at NFU Scotland. Any NFUS member can be nominated for election, providing they are proposed and seconded by fellow NFUS members. The Presidential position is held for two years while Vice Presidents are elected annually. Members of NFU Scotland’s council – a body made up from representatives of each of the Union’s 71 branches - will then select the successful candidates at a meeting of NFUS Council on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews. The council meeting follows the start of the Union’s Centenary celebrations with the AGM and Annual Dinner being held in the same venue the previous day (Monday, 11 February). Those wishing to stand for these positions should contact NFUS Chief Executive Scott Walker to obtain a proposal form, which must then be signed and returned to him by close of play on Monday, 17 December 2012. NFU Scotland CEO Scott Walker said: “I believe the prospect of serving and representing fellow Scottish farmers is as attractive now as it was 100 years ago. The job of filling our Presidential seat for the coming two years and the two Vice-Presidential posts for the next year is now underway and we invite applications from those keen to help shape our farming industry. “This is a hugely exciting time for the Union and the industry as we mark 100 years of representing Scottish farmers, growers and crofters. A year-long programme of events to mark our Centenary is coming together and a number of initiatives are being prepared to ensure our celebrations leave a lasting legacy. “On a policy front, the number of challenges faced by all our members seems to grow year-on-year and we have a robust organisation in place to tackle these. However, the prospect of holding office and helping to negotiate and secure the right CAP Reform deal for Scotland and shape our new Rural Development programme is moth-watering.”