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News from, and for, Scotland’s farmer co-ops - Autumn 2021
Co-ops Showcase Collaboration Benefits for Cabinet Secretary Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, spent a day finding out more about agri co-operation and six of our members in early August. Each co-op highlighted opportunities that can be realised and challenges overcome by greater co-operation, such as improving productivity, tackling climate change, building strength in supply chains, creating more resilience and strengthening the position of individual farmers. As well as agriculture and food and drink, Ms Gougeon’s remit covers fisheries and aquaculture, as well as co-ordination of policies for island communities. As SAOS’s work supports all of these, the day provided an ideal opportunity to talk about many issues affecting rural Scotland. At East of Scotland Farmers in Coupar Angus, Tim Bailey, SAOS’s Chief Executive, opened the discussion by giving Ms Gougeon an overview of the impressive strength and breadth of farm and rural co-operation in Scotland. Robin Barron, General Manager of EoSF, went on to highlight the power of their membership in raising capital to fund recent improvements to their site which Ms Gougeon was shown, and also how the co-op helps manage risk for members in a very volatile market. Andrew Faichney, MD of East of Scotland Growers, talked about his fruit and vegetable growers’ co-op which is also a ‘Producer Organisation’. With a strong focus on innovation and a self-help attitude, his members have invested in research and development to produce the best products for their markets and to minimise waste, diversifying into broccoli crisp production and driving major productivity gains. Having moved on to ANM in Thainstone, one of Scotland oldest and largest co-ops, their CEO Grant Rogerson explained the Group’s Pictured at EoSF, right to left: Robin Barron, Mairi Gougeon, business and how forward thinking and focus on innovation and diversification has helped it become a hub for farming in the north- John Hutcheson, Andrew Faichney, Jim Booth and Tim Bailey east, with seven different business divisions and a wide range of member benefits and advantages. Andy McGowan, MD of Scottish Pig Producers, talked through some of the innovation projects being undertaken to improve the health and competitiveness of the herd and the collaboration in processing, aiming not just to secure a future outlet, but to add value in Scotland to realise the market potential for Specially Selected Scottish pork. First Milk was represented by Mark Brooking their Sustainability Director, who discussed their leadership role in helping to tackle the climate challenge. Their First4Milk sustainability programme has seen them set a series of bold targets and commit to achieving net zero by 2040 at the latest. (Read more on this inside.) Tim Bailey then explained how SmartRural is delivering Rural Digital Connectivity to allow technology to deliver benefits for rural communities. Mutual ownership would provide a cost-effective strategy to push connectivity out nationally. Smart farming and the use of digital technology promises to equip farmers with the data and insights required to tackle the key challenges the industry faces. Closing the session, SAOS’s Jim Booth talked about the importance of co-ops in our farming and rural sector and the need for a sympathetic agricultural policy to grow this further. He spoke about Australia’s ‘Farming Together’ co-operation and collaboration pilot programme, an inspiring example of what can be done to drive positive change in farming with government support. The Cabinet Secretary said: “I want to thank everyone involved for taking time out of their day to share some of the amazing and innovative work occurring across some of Scotland’s co-ops. In order to make meaningful change, we need to work together and learn from each other so it’s great to hear how this cross-sector work comes together for the benefit of rural Scotland.” Tim added: ”We were delighted to highlight to the Cabinet Secretary the importance of co-ops to rural Scotland, from the Northern Isles to the far South West, and had no problem filling the day with varied examples of forward thinking, and innovative problem solving by co-ops to help strengthen their members’ position and safeguard family farms. We believe that working together makes sense in every way, particularly with COP26 coming up and the fight against climate change at the forefront of everyone’s mind. No-one can make a difference individually, but together we really can.”