The Scottish Region of the National Sheep Association (NSA) was further strengthened this week as Selkirk Sheep Farmer, Alex Telfer, was elected to serve as the NSA Scotland Vice Chairman.

The change in officeholder came as part of the hybrid Annual Regional Members Meeting (ARMM) held on 18th February at the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, that took part in conjunction with presentations from SRUC professors on sheep related research and development, and a tour of the SRUC CT Unit and Green Sheep Facility.

Formal business on the day approved draft accounts for the region alongside election, re-election and re-approval of NSA Scotland Officeholders and NSA Scotland committee members.

Peter Myles, Edzell has been re-appointed as NSA Scotland Chairman un-opposed and will embark upon his second two-year term. Alec Telfer was elected to serve his first two-year term Vice-Chairman and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role following many years of support serving on the regional committee amongst other organisational roles.

Alec comments: “I am very honoured to have been chosen for the position of Vice Chairman of NSA Scotland and I look forward to working with the team in trying to secure a prosperous future in sheep farming for current and future generations. Agriculture is currently under huge pressure from what would seem a complete lack of understanding from the UK Government and the devolved administration in Holyrood. Never has there been a more important time for engagement in trying to emphasise the importance of national food security to Governments. I hope to be able to put ‘my shoulder to the wheel’ and help move things along in a positive way. Livestock farming is not the cause of climate change, it is the solution. The hills of Scotland are the ‘lungs of the nation’.”

Mary Dunlop, Biggar, was re-elected as Treasurer unopposed. Meanwhile, Pamela Nicol, Glenisla, was re-approved to continue her three-year term as NSA Trustee, representing Scotland, for a second year with Debs Colley, Crawford, also being re-elected to serve as second Trustee over a three- year term. Clive Phillips, Stonehaven was re-elected as NSA UK Policy and Technical Committee representative to serve the final two years of a three-year term.

NSA national activity and policy updates were provided by Chief Executive Phil Stocker with an overview of the work carried out and supported by NSA including the projects and topics covered by a carefully managed staff network extending across the UK. Attendees raised concerns surrounding the issues transport of animals, Louping-ill vaccination support, the decline of the national flock, vaccine supply and scarcity along with renewed attempts to increase backing for the Lamb for St Andrews Day initiative.

Attendees also heard from SRUC’s Professor Joanne Conington, Professor Cathy Dwyer, Dr Karolina Kaseja and Dr Claire Morgan-Davies on the projects being undertaken to develop and enhance the sheep sector. The day concluded with an overview of the CT scanning facilities and a tour of the Green Sheep facility. An overview of the innovative and award-winning research focusing around twelve portable accumulation chambers (PAC) housed on a trailer that can be taken to sheep and goats to measure methane emissions after eating their usual diet, including grazing was provided. This initiative is making a fundamental contribution to the understanding of Greenhouse Gas production by livestock and is a key facility in international efforts to reduce the impact on climate change from emissions by ruminants.

Mr Myles reflected upon the meeting by stating: “It's great to have Alec in the Office Bearer team. He brings a great strength to the role, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the NSA Scotland team over the coming year. We were very pleased to have the opportunity to see round such a world class facility at the Roslin Institute and SRUC campus and we are lucky to have the very best brain collective here, so the future of our industry is in excellent hands. I would like to thank all speakers for their input and time on the day. NSA Scotland continue to strive to support the industry wherever possible and deliver for our members at the very highest level in terms of policy and provision of services."