Members of Scotland’s largest farming union – NFU Scotland – have chosen Aberdeenshire farmer Charlie Adam as their new vice president.
The position became available after Stranraer dairy farmer Gary Mitchell decided not to run again.
The elections took place at the union’s council meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday (February 8).
Andrew McCornick was re-elected as president with Martin Kennedy also re-elected as vice president.
Having already led the union for two years, McCornick will now hold office for a further two years by which time he will have served the maximum allowed under the constitution of two two-year terms.
Under the terms of the constitution, Kennedy, as a serving vice president, will be seeking re-election next year, having already served as VP for two years.
Adam, being elected to the position of Vice President for the first time, will initially serve for two years before the post reverts to an annual election.
The unsuccessful vice-presidential candidate was Ian Sands from Perthshire, who is chair of the union’s Combinable Crops committee.
New vice president
Charlie Adam, Braeside, Leochel-Cushnie, Alford, Aberdeenshire – Charlie is married to Clare with two grown-up children. After being brought up on the family tenanted farm on Deeside, Charlie went out on his own at Braeside in 1982.
Braeside is now owned and runs to 335ac with some seasonal fields also taken. They grow about 130ac of Spring barley for malting and run a 100-cow spring-calving suckler herd put to Charolais bulls.
Charlie has previously been the chairman of Dee and Don Branch for four years, including one year as North East Regional vice chairman.
He was then elected North East Regional chairman, serving for three years. He has represented North East on the Livestock Committee from 2013 and has been Livestock Committee chairman for the past five years.
Speaking after the election, NFU Scotland president McCornick said: “There are difficult and challenging times ahead but Martin, Charlie and I have been given a clear mandate by members to represent them and we are honoured to carry their message forward.
Throughout the protracted and frustrating Brexit process, NFUS has been crystal clear about its priorities and through our ‘Steps to Change’ work we have mapped out our thoughts on a new agricultural policy for Scotland.
“I believe we have a top table team, who, backed by the members, staff and secretaries have the vision to deliver on that.
“Those who choose to seek office and represent fellow members in any capacity undertake a huge commitment and although missing out, I congratulate Ian [Sands] for the part he played in a hard-fought campaign and the outstanding work he does in representing his sector.”
