Heading to Australia and New Zealand on extended leave is a lifelong dream but it will be business as usual at NFU Scotland according to Policy Advisor Lucy McGillivray.
Before departing ‘down under’ next weekend, Lucy writes: “More than two years ago now, I joined NFUS as a Policy Assistant the week after graduating from university.
“It has been a full on, enjoyable two years, including studying a postgraduate diploma in Agricultural Professional Practice while working full time. Due to the quick turnaround of being a university student to working at NFUS, I haven’t had much time to do any travelling – which is why I am taking a period of leave from NFUS for 3 months from October to December, returning in January.
“I am jetting off to Australia and hoping to also visit New Zealand in my time away. I am grateful to be returning to my role as Policy Advisor in January, so you will hardly notice I’m gone!
“I want to reassure members my policy areas will be covered by the team, and the past couple of months have been spent ensuring there is a smooth handover on all aspects.
“On Next Generation policy, Al Walker, our Political Affairs Assistant, and I already share this remit, and so Al is up to date with all the pressing issues. We are currently working on various workstreams under our priorities of improving access to land, access to finance, training, and upskilling.
“With the launch of the Partnership Agreement with SAYFC back in June, we have been working hard over summer to put some of the commitments in place. There will be some very exciting announcements coming soon!
“For the horticulture remit, it is in the safe hands of John Flanagan, our Senior Crops Policy Manager. John and I work closely on issues that cut across both of our remits, so again it has been an efficient handover process. John, alongside our political affairs team will continue to lobby for the continuation of the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme, to ensure our horticulture members can benefit from the crucial investment the scheme provides.
“Consistent low market returns are stifling the success and growth of the horticulture sector, which demonstrates how important our work on supply chains, ShelfWatch and retailer engagement is. Gemma Cooper is the lead on supply chain work, and John will ensure horticulture member views are fed into this workstream in my absence.
Rhianna Montgomery, our Rural Business Policy Advisor, and I already work together on labour issues, such as the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board and Fair Work Policy. Rhianna will also cover my skills remit, as part of her responsibility for the Legal and Technical Committee.
Senior Policy Manager, Sarah Cowie, will be overseeing the covered remits while I’m away. If there are any general questions or issues, please feel free to contact Sarah.
I will be finishing this week, before flying out at the weekend. See you in three months!
Who to contact.