Scottish agriculture’s largest membership organisation, NFU Scotland, is set to grow this week as it visits potential new members the length and breadth of the country.

Recruitment activity will be focussed around Wednesday, 31 July, and this year’s membership drive follows successful recruitment days in 2011 and 2012. 

With the Union celebrating its centenary, members, group secretaries and head office staff will be visiting fellow farmers, crofters and associated businesses to highlight to them the great advantages of becoming part of the organisation.

In 100 years of representation, NFUS has become recognised as the respected voice for Scottish farming and that reputation will be strengthened as membership swells.  More than 8,500 Scottish farmers, growers, crofters and businesses working in the sector already support NFU Scotland in its work on their behalf.

Speaking ahead of the membership drive, NFU Scotland’s newly appointed Operations and Subscriptions Director Ashley Handy said:

“NFU Scotland is celebrating a century of service to Scottish farmers, growers and crofters.  In the past 100 years, we have helped the Scottish agricultural industry through some real highs and lows. 

“Looking ahead, the challenges and opportunities around farming and food production in this country means that farmers need to be well represented and their Union will continue to do this in order to secure a vibrant future for their families and their businesses.

“This last year has encapsulated all that NFUS stands for.  We have been at the heart of Brussels, Westminster and Holyrood to shape important reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy; we have been helping those businesses severely compromised by the extreme weather and we have been ensuring that those starting out in our industry have a voice.

“Having a strong membership means our representations are taken seriously because of our credibility in representing the views of the whole farming community across all sectors. Those views represent both the new and the established generation of farmers, growers and crofters.

“Whilst it’s important for NFUS to look at the bigger picture, we are also very aware that each member will face their own individual battles. Through our local secretary network and regional staff, NFUS is stronger than ever in helping individual members tackle the day to day issues they may face, whether that is information and guidance or assistance with inspections and appeals.

“NFUS is uniquely placed to make a difference to Scottish farmers, growers, crofters and their businesses. There is no doubt that there is strength in numbers and I look forward to welcoming new members to the Union in the next few days.”

For further information contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006 or Email: bob.carruth@nfus.org.uk