A leading panel of speakers from across the UK will debate the impact of Brexit at a major event in North East Scotland on Monday, 31 July.

Turriff Show, which runs on both Sunday 30 July and Monday 31 July, is a highlight in the farming calendar. On the second day of the show, NFU Scotland’s President Andrew McCornick will chair a panel where speakers will be asked to give their post-Brexit vision for Scotland and the UK.  The session starts at 2pm on the NFU Scotland stand (Stand Number – 122).

The panel will include Minette Batters, Vice President of NFU England and Wales; Nigel Miller former President of NFU Scotland and Chairman of Livestock Health Scotland and Jonnie Hall, Director of Policy at NFUS.  

The panelists will be given 10 minutes to outline their views before the farmer audience will have an opportunity to question the top table.

NFU Scotland’s Regional Manager Lorna Paterson said: “We are delighted to facilitate this event on our stand at Turriff, giving our members a golden opportunity to ask questions of this expert panel and make their opinions known on what they wish to see happening post-Brexit.

“All members of the Union have now received a copy of the Union’s discussion document on Brexit - ‘CHANGE – A New Agricultural Policy for Scotland Post-Brexit’ - and this debate is another fantastic chance for members to tell us what they think and help shape the future for Scottish and UK farming.”  

Notes to Editors

• Turriff Show will take place at The Haughs, Turriff, AB53 4 EF on Sunday 30 July and Monday 31 July. More info at: https://www.turriffshow.org/
• Several events will take place on the NFU Scotland stand (Stand 122).  President Andrew McCornick will be on the stand both days and Vice Presidents Gary Mitchell and Martin Kennedy will be at the show on Monday.  On Sunday, the drinks reception and buffet, featuring Scottish produce and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Award, will take place from 5.30pm until 8.00pm.  The event is sponsored by Malcolm Allan and Mr Allan will also be guest speaker.  All members, their families and Young Farmers are invited.  Andrew McCornick will present the Unsung Hero Award.  On Monday, the Presidential team will meet Susan Webb, director of NHS Grampian. On Monday, members are also invited to participate in round the table discussions with cross party MSPs, MPs and Aberdeenshire Council's CEO, Jim Savege at 11am -12pm.  Local NFU Mutual secretaries; the Union’s Political Affairs Manager Clare Slipper; Stuart Martin from Scottish Dairy Hub; representatives from SSE and a number of NFU Scotland’s affinity partners will also be on the stand over the two days. Andrea Gilmartin from NHS Grampian will also meet members and discuss farming related health issues and the new ‘Fit for Farming’ booklet. Andrea will conduct a survey again this year, to complement the work done on our stand in 2016. The region will be raising funds for Livestock Health Scotland on both days, and will be selling raffle tickets to win two hampers of goodies (prepared by Finzean Estate).
• Members of the media are invited to attend the panel discussion on Brexit.  For more information contact Lorna Paterson on 07786 860453
• At the Royal Highland Show, NFU Scotland launched its discussion document ‘CHANGE – A New Agricultural Policy for Scotland Post-Brexit’.  Its Presidential team will visit more than 30 agricultural shows this summer to discuss the document with members, stakeholders, politicians and the media. A copy is available: https://www.nfus.org.uk/userfiles/images/Policy/Brexit/Brexit%20Doc%20-%20pages.pdf
  

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Contact Douglas Ross on 07823 556253