SIX candidates have now confirmed that they will be standing in NFU Scotland’s elections for the positions of President and Vice Presidents.

The elections are to take place at the Union’s council meeting at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews on Tuesday 10 February 2015.

Although the deadline for candidates to submit their proposal form is Friday, 12 December, some candidates have already declared their intention to stand.

The term of office for President, currently held by Nigel Miller, from Stow, is open for election every two years. Nigel, has come to the end of his term after serving four years as President. No President can stand for more than two terms.

Allan Bowie and Rob Livesey current Vice Presidents and Andrew Moir, Combinable Crops Committee Chairman have confirmed they will be standing for President.

Rob Livesey and Andrew Moir will also run for Vice President. Andrew McCornick Dumfries and Galloway’s current Regional Board Chairman, Kelvin Pate current Vice Chairman of the Lothian and Borders Regional Board and John Smith Chairman of the Legal and Technical Committee have also declared their intention to stand for a Vice President position.

Rob is married with two sons. He farms Firth Farm near Lilliesleaf in the Scottish Borders with 1,100 mules ewes, 80 salers cows and 125 acres of cereals. The Firth is a tenanted farm of 600 acres and a further 200 acres is rented nearby.

Rob has been a Vice President for the last two years, and was Livestock Committee Chairman for four years before that. He is also a past President of the Selkirk branch. Prior to taking the tenancy of the Firth, Rob managed a large estate in south Ayrshire for seven years after leaving the family farm at Bonchester Bridge.

Members of NFU Scotland’s council – a body made up from representatives of each of the Union’s 73 branches - will select the successful candidates. The council meeting follows the Union’s AGM and Annual Dinner being held in the same venue the previous day (Monday, 9 February).

Those wishing to stand for these positions should contact NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker to obtain a proposal form, which must then be signed and returned to him by close of play on Friday, 12 December 2014.

NFU Scotland Chief Executive, Scott Walker commented: “With four weeks to go until nominations close for the positions of President and Vice Presidents we know we are going to have an election for both positions. For a membership organisation it is healthy to see so many people interested in taking on these posts. With the closing date for nominations not until 12 December this is not necessarily the final field, as more people may come forward.

“Our members have a choice from a strong field of candidates on who will be the next President and Vice Presidents of NFU Scotland.

“Whoever is elected will lead the organisation and represent Scottish farmers on issues that affect all farm based businesses in Scotland.

“From discussions with the supply chain up to the multiple retailers; influencing and shaping government legislation that originates from Scotland, the UK and Europe; and working with a Scottish Parliament and Minsters; this will mean the people who take up office in February will operate on many fronts for the benefit of our members and the farming industry in Scotland.”