National Farmers' Union of Scotland : Hustings Start For NFU Scotland Candidates

Members can hear from three candidates up for two Vice Presidential positions

NFU Scotland's 10-date regional hustings tour kicks off next week, which will see three candidates who are contesting for the two Vice President roles within NFU Scotland travelling the length and breadth of the country to speak to members.

The hustings will start on Monday 7 January at McDiarmid Park, near Perth and over the course of the following 16 days, the candidates will also speak at meetings in Stepps, Tarbert, Castle Douglas, Carfraemill, Galston, Inverurie, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Dingwall.

Voting for the positions of the two Vice Presidential posts will take place at the Union's Council meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 8 February 2019. The Union's AGM, conference and annual dinner will be staged at the same venue the previous day (Thursday 7 February).

Current Vice President Martin Kennedy, Livestock Chairman Charlie Adam and Combinable Crops Chairman Ian Sands have put their names forward to contest for the vice-presidential positions.

Commenting on the upcoming hustings and election in February, President Andrew McCornick said: 'It is an extremely uncertain time for Scottish agriculture, so there has never been a more important time for members to get out to these hustings, listen to the candidates and make sure their vote counts.

'I wish each one of the candidates the very best and urge them to make the most of this fantastic, if hectic, round of meetings. All three candidates have the skills and experience to do a fantastic job for NFUS and Scottish agriculture and this is their opportunity to convince members they have a role to play as we tackle the major challenges ahead.

'With Brexit decisions looming and future agricultural policy in the UK and Scotland up for debate, we need the right people in place to drive forward policies that are in the very best interests of our farmers and crofters.'
Notes for Editors

• The election for the two vice presidential positions will take place at the Union's Council meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow on Friday 8 February 2019. The Union's AGM, Conference and Annual Dinner will be staged at the same venue the previous day (Thursday 7 February). Members of NFU Scotland's Council - a body made up of representatives from each of the Union's 73 branches - will select the successful candidates. In the election for vice presidents, as there are three people standing, there will be one round of voting with the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes being declared vice presidents.
• Individual photographs of all Andrew McCornick and the three Vice Presidential candidates are also available from [e-mail]
• The regional hustings will take place as follows. For media who would like to attend please email: [e-mail]
  

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Contact Douglas Ross on 0131 472 4059