Westminster Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael MP and Soft Fruit Pioneer Lochy Porter Complete Line up for 24 October

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.

NFU Scotland members are urged to register in advance for this free to attend event by 5pm on Tuesday 22 October using https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nfu-scotland-annual-autumn-conference-thursday-24-october-2024-tickets-1008456018097

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.”