The race to lead the Scottish farming industry through the next two years of tough Brexit negotiations is hotting up, with six candidates now in the running for the the union’s three top jobs.
Current president Allan Bowie, who farms in Fife and is coming to the end of his first two-year term, discovered two weeks ago that he was being challenged by vice-president Andrew  McCornick from Dumfriesshire.
The other vice-president, Borders farmer Rob Livesey has now announced he too is throwing his hat into the ring.
All three have made it clear they will not stand for a vice-president role.
Their decision leaves the path clear for the three men who have now announced their decision to stand for the vice-president posts. They include Perthshire hill farmer Martin Kennedy from Aberfeldy and Dumfries and Galloway regional chairman, Gary Mitchell, a past chairman of the milk committee.
South Lanarkshire farmer Tom French, the union’s Forth and Clyde regional chairman also stepped forward yesterday to contend for a vice-president role.
And there is still time for others to come forward as anyone wishing to stand as president or vice-president has until Monday December 12 to submit a proposal form. Any NFU Scotland member can be nominated for election, providing they are proposed and seconded by fellow members
Hustings will be held across all regions ahead of the elections which take place at the union’s council meeting in Glasgow in February, the day after the annual meeting and industry dinner.
The presidential position is held for two years and a president can serve a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms. Under the terms of the constitution, those elected to the position of vice-president will initially serve for two years before the post reverts to an annual election. Members of the union’s council – a body made up from representatives of each of the union’s 73 branches – will select the successful candidates.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
