High-profile north-east farming community member Andrew Moir will steer an important industry initiative in Scotland.
The former chairman of the NFU Scotland combinable crops committee and 2015 presidential candidate will lead on the Voluntary Initiative (VI) north of the Border.
The initiative is part of a wider UK scheme to encourage responsible use of plant-protection products at farm level, while working with politicians and the wider agrichemical industry on key areas such as legislation, availability of products and water quality.
The VI was established by the farming and crop protection industry in 2001 in response to the threat of a pesticide tax (estimated to be 30%).
The farming and crop protection industry’s response was to set up a programme of industry-led voluntary measures.
Among other activities, the VI has established three UK-wide schemes pest-management planning, sprayer testing, and a sprayer operator register to demonstrate to the UK Government that plant-protection products are being used responsibly.
Mr Moir, who farms from Thornton Mains, near Laurencekirk, takes over the chairmanship from former NFUS vice-president John Picken.
“The VI has increased farmer awareness of the good stewardship needed when working with plant-protection products,” said Mr Moir.
“This has not only helped the environment but also demonstrated why farmers can and must be trusted with an effective range of such products and tools so we can continue to grow food efficiently in the face of growing pest and disease pressures.
“The VI provides an efficient, voluntary and light touch way for farmers and the wider agrichemical industry to show that we take our responsibilities very seriously,” said Mr Moir.
“In turn, we hope to persuade regulators and politicians to recognise the significant strides the industry has made, and adopt a more pragmatic approach to key areas for growers, without resorting to the blunt threat of taxation.
“That said, many Scottish growers may not have seen or appreciated the work being carried out on their behalf by the VI so in the next year, one of my challenges will be to raise the profile and activity of the VI here in Scotland.”