NFUS conference focus on maximising environmental credentials to drive profitability and sustainability.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, the newly elected chair of the influential Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee at Westminster, has joined the line up for NFU Scotland’s Autumn conference on 24 October.
Chair of award-winning Angus Soft Fruits, Lochy Porter, completes the line up for the free, in-person event being held at The Pavilion at Ingliston, within the Royal Highland Showground, near Edinburgh.
The other confirmed speakers, as previously announced, are:
- Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP.
- Respected farmer, researcher and policy expert on carbon within farming systems, Professor John Gilliland OBE.
- Operations Director at The Glenmorangie Company, Peter Nelson, who represents the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) on the board of Scottish Quality Cereals.
- 2023 Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year Cora Cooper, a first-generation farmer from East Ayrshire, looking after 3500 ewes.
- NFU Scotland President, Martin Kennedy; NFU Scotland Chief Executive, John Davidson and NFU Scotland Director of Policy Jonnie Hall.
Speaking ahead of the conference, NFU Scotland Chief Executive John Davidson said: “Enabling farmers and crofters to drive more profitability into their businesses through maximising their environmental credentials will be increasingly important in the years ahead.
“We are delighted to have attracted a tremendous mix of inspiring speakers from farming, research, politics, and manufacturing to drive what will be a lively discussion and debate. I look forward to welcoming everyone who can attend the conference at Ingliston next week.”
Notes to Editors
- NFU Scotland’s Annual Autumn Conference and Council Meeting will be held on Thursday 24 October at The Pavilion at Ingliston, Ingliston Road Ingliston EH28 8NB. The event will start with registration from 9.15am.
- Media wishing to attend the Autumn Conference can register directly using the link provided but in addition are asked to contact media@nfus.org.uk to confirm their attendance.
- Alistair Carmichael, who was born and raised on a hill farm on Islay, was elected to Parliament in 2001 as MP for Orkney and Shetland, and since then has campaigned on a range of farming, crofting and other rural issues. In September 2024 he was elected unopposed as Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. Alistair was born and raised on Islay.
- Lochy Porter is Co-Founder and Chair of Angus Soft Fruits Ltd, an award-winning business that works with UK growers and forms partnerships with global growers to ensure a year-round supply of delicious berries to retailers in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006