Scotland’s national farming union has moved to strengthen relations with retailers, processors and consumers following the appointment of a new food policy manager.
John Armour, a farmer’s son from the outskirts of Campbeltown, takes up the full-time permanent post as part of NFU Scotland’s influential policy team.
In the last 18 months the union has fully developed its food policy manager role, and John will continue the work already done in this field by Kylie Barclay, who has moved on.
“John will continue to build on the success of his predecessor in being an active advocate for the farming industry in the supply chain,” commented NFUS chief executive Scott Walker.
Mr Walker said ensuring that the country’s farmers’ voices are heard in a rapidly changing retailer environment is “critical”.
“It is important that we press for fair contracts and fair prices in the domestic market and look to maximise export market opportunities,” he said.
“Assisting our chicken members as the industry goes through restructuring; securing a cereal summit to look at bringing new malting capacity to Scotland in order to increase the local demand for our barley and tempting Scottish shoppers with fresh, tasty Scotch Lamb at 12 venues around the country were but three of our food policy actions last year.”
Mr Walker said the industry will be meeting with the Grocery Code Adjudicator early in the New Year, providing John with his first tangible opportunity to ensure that Scottish farmers’ voices are heard in the supply chain.
“My specific remit of representing our members’ interests in supply chain and food retail discussions is a thrilling prospect, and I look forward to grappling with the key issues affecting the supply chain, and to working with everyone at NFUS to effect positive change to benefit the whole of the Scottish agricultural community,” John said.