WITH three candidates up for the two vice presidential positions at NFU Scotland, members are being given the chance to grill the contenders at ten regional hustings up and down the country.

The hustings started on Monday, January 7 at McDiarmid Park, near Perth and over the course of the month, the candidates will also speak at meetings in Stepps, Tarbert, Castle Douglas, Carfraemill, Galston, Inverurie, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Dingwall.

Voting for the positions of the two vice presidential posts will take place at the union’s Council meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Friday, February 8, 2019. The union’s AGM, conference and annual dinner will be staged at the same venue the previous day.

Current vice president Martin Kennedy, livestock chairman Charlie Adam and combinable crops chairman, Ian Sands have put their names forward to contest for the positions.

Commenting on the upcoming hustings and election in February, president Andrew McCornick said: “It is an extremely uncertain time for Scottish agriculture, so there has never been a more important time for members to get out to these hustings, listen to the candidates and make sure their vote counts.

“I wish each one of the candidates the very best and urge them to make the most of this fantastic, if hectic, round of meetings. All three candidates have the skills and experience to do a fantastic job for NFUS and Scottish agriculture and this is their opportunity to convince members they have a role to play as we tackle the major challenges ahead.

“With Brexit decisions looming and future agricultural policy in the UK and Scotland up for debate, we need the right people in place to drive forward policies that are in the very best interests of our farmers and crofters.”