Nominations are now being sought for one of the two Vice Presidential positions at NFU Scotland.   

Under the terms of the NFU Scotland constitution, those elected to the position of Vice President will initially serve for two years before the post reverts to an annual election.  With Dumfriesshire farmer Andrew McCornick elected to the position of Vice President in February 2015 for the first time, his position is not open for re-election at this time.

However, nominations are now being taken for the second Vice Presidential post. This position is currently held by Rob Livesey, from the Borders, who was first elected Vice President in 2013.

The Union’s President, Allan Bowie, was elected in February 2015 and will serve for two years before the position of President is re-elected.

Any NFUS member can be nominated for election, providing they are proposed and seconded by fellow NFUS members.   The Vice Presidential election will take place at the NFUS Council meeting on Friday, 12 February 2016 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews following the AGM & Annual Dinner the previous day.  

Those wishing to stand for this position should contact NFUS Chief Executive Scott Walker to obtain a proposal form, which must then be signed and returned to him by Monday, 14 December 2015.

NFU Scotland CEO Scott Walker said: “These are extremely challenging times for Scottish agriculture and our presidential positions offer the opportunity to play an important role in representing NFU Scotland’s members and shaping Scotland’s food and farming industries for the future.

“Last year, NFU Scotland took the decision to change the terms for Vice Presidential elections, allowing those elected to the position for the first time to serve a minimum of two years before the position reverts to annual elections.

 “That means that one of our two Vice Presidential posts is now open and we invite applications.   Members of NFU Scotland’s council – a body made up from representatives of each of the Union’s 74 branches - will then select the successful candidates at the 2016 AGM.

“For the seventh consecutive year, our annual dinner, AGM and Council meeting will take place at the Fairmont Hotel near St Andrews.  However, we have taken the opportunity to move away from traditionally holding the event at the start of the week and instead the AGM and annual dinner will now be held on Thursday 11 February with the council meeting and the Vice Presidential election being held on Friday, 12 February 2016.”   

Notes to Editors

• The current Vice Presidents at NFU Scotland are Andrew McCornick and Rob Livesey.  Andrew was first elected to the post in 2015 and will be eligible for re-election in 2017.  Rob was first elected Vice President in 2013.
• Nomination forms for the position of Vice President are available from NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker.  Scott can be contacted on 0131 472 4001 or Email: scott.walker@nfus.org.uk.  Alternatively Scott can be contacted in writing at NFU Scotland, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Midlothian, EH28 8LT. 
• The application period will close on Monday, 14 December 2015 and candidates announced on Wednesday 16 December. 
• A photograph of NFU Scotland’s current Presidential team is available on request from media@nfus.org.uk .

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006