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Iain Mathers elected as new interim Chairman of
the Scottish Beef Council: the old lot sacked
James Irvine
Teviot Scientific, Cultybraggan Farm, Comrie,
Perthshire
Filed 25 May 06
©www.land-care.org.uk
The agm of the National Beef Association (NBA)
was held at Hexham Mart, Northumbria yesterday 24th May. Unlike
the association's agms of previous years, this one was well attended
with the large function suite packed to capacity.
NBA chairman, Duff Burrell, gave his report. He
emphasised that it had been a difficult year, involving the completion
of the reorganisation of the way the NBA HQ was working with particular
reference to its new office in Hexham. He stated that much valuable
time and energy had been taken up with the manner in which the executive
of the Scottish region of the NBA had been conducting itself, and
its apparent determination to breakaway and form a separate organisation.
He also stressed how important it was for everyone in the beef industry
to pull together to further the interests of the industry in the
NBA's 7 different regions within the UK at a time when the export
market was just beginning to open up. His report was accepted without
question.
Bob Harper then gave his treasurer's report. This
was a highly competent performance, detailing why substantial losses
had occurred in the financial year ending December 2005. He too
referred to the damaging effect the conduct of the executive of
the Scottish region had had on the association's finances. In particular,
he mentioned that the unreasonable demand by the Scottish region
executive for early audited accounts had incurred an unnecessary
accountant's fee of some £3,000. He emphasised that the in
the last financial year there had been major one-off costs that
would not recur in future years, including QC and other solicitor's
fees incurred in applying for charitable status for the NBA. If
charitable status was granted then the financial advantages to the
NBA would be substantial, provided members signed up with their
subscriptions in the appropriate way.
The first question from the floor took the form
of an aggressive attack by Jim Kennedy, vice-chairman of the Scottish
region executive. However, this was convincingly countered by the
NBA treasurer. Strong support for the NBA was then forthcoming from
a number of Scottish members of the NBA who were present. The treasurer's
report was then accepted without further question.
After the completion of the agm, NBA chairman,
Duff Burrell then opened the egm. Notice had previously been circulated
to all NBA members that the motion to be considered was the removal
of Keith Redpath as a director of the NBA. Jim Kennedy gave Keith
Redpath's apologies for his unavoidable absence, and wished to read
a letter from Keith Redpath to protect his name. The chairman used
his prerogative to read the letter out to the gathering. After some
further somewhat aggressive comments from Jim Kennedy, the motion
was passed without any dissent.
Iain Mathers,
the new interim chairman of the Scottish Beef Council,
at the Hexham Mart shortly after his election at the NBA egm.
The chairman then went on to announce that, on account of the behaviour
of the executive of the Scottish region, their determination to
breakaway from the NBA and the refusal of the members of the Scottish
region executive to resign from the NBA, the current office holders
in the Scottish region would be forthwith discharged and a new interim
executive and committee set up to represent the NBA in Scotland.
This means that Patrick Lambert (chairman), Jim Kennedy (vice-chairman),
Pat Lawson (treasurer), John Cameron (president), Natalie Cormack
(secretary) and Keith Redpath no longer represent the NBA in Scotland
and cannot claim to speak on its behalf or on behalf of its Scottish
members. The agm/egm called earlier by the NBA's original, but now
defunct, Scottish council for 14th June is also cancelled.
He announced that Iain Mathers, of Wardes, Kinture
, Inverurie, would be the new interim chairman of the Scottish region
of the NBA, and that Hamish McBean, of Score Farm, Glenferness,
Nairn, would be the new vice-chairman. The temporary secretary would
be Kim-Marie Haywood, who lives in Edinburgh. These arrangements,
which wold have immediae effect, were warmly accepted by those at
the packed-out meeting. As far as the NBA board is concerned, its
next meeting is due to take place on 21st June. It will be attended
by a representative of the NBA in Scotland.
The NBA in Scotland has therefore not broken away,
but has been reformed.
It is important that the independent voice of
the NBA is widely supported by the beef industry throughout the
UK and is not detracted from this purpose by a splinter group. Scotland
continues to have the best of both worlds with direct representation
to the Scottish Executive at the partially devolved Scottish Parliament
and and with representation to defra and the EU through its place
on the NBA Board.
Hopefully, with the time and energy wasting arguments
generated by the now defunct executive of the Scottish Beef Council
firmly in the past, the NBA along with its new executive structure
in Scotland will go from strength to strength.
The agm/egm was followed by informative presentations
on "Export prospects for UK beef" by Jean-Pierre Garnier,
the MLC export manager and Senor Diogo Macedo an importer of UK
beef into Portugal. These were followed by much interesting and
useful discussion.
Beef 2006, run by the NBA, is being held in Carlisle
on June 2nd. It promises to be a highly successful show and should
demonstrate to all the continued vitality of the NBA throughout
the UK including Scotland.
©www.land-care.org.uk
Further reading recommended by Land-Care
 Irvine,
James (2006). Power-seeking rebels in the executive of the Scottish
region of the NBA prepare to break way from the parent UK body
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 23 May 06,
www.land-care.org.uk Click
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