The farmers’ union has vowed to take action to address the lack of women in leadership positions in Scottish agriculture.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) has invited Sutherland sheep farmer, Joyce Campbell, who chaired the Scottish Governent’s Women in Agriculture (WIA) taskforce, to discuss her final report with the union’s board of directors in February.
The WIA report noted there are significant cultural barriers to getting women in leadership roles and recommended all agricultural organisations, bodies and businesses who want to take part in formal Scottish Government agricultural stakeholder groups have to comply with a proposed Equality Charter – a set of principles which ensures everyone involved in agriculture has access to training resources and career progression opportunities.
There are very few women on the NFUS board or at committee, regional or branch levels. The board says it will undertake training to support cultural change, and will host a workshop involving leading women in NFUS to consider some positive actions to address the issues highlighted by the report.
NFU President Andrew McCornick, a member of the WIA taskforce, said the report showed a way of getting more women to take up leadership roles in farming.
“The training elements to be put in place will support women involved in farming to build their confidence, enhance their skills and develop their leadership abilities,” he said.
“Sometimes, as an organisation, NFU Scotland struggles to find members willing to take elected positions. Anything that is done to develop capable individuals to undertake leadership roles is welcomed.
“It is in the interests of every agricultural organisation, including NFU Scotland, to support diversity in all forms.”
