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NBA’s management vindicated
by its 2006 accounts:
the need for unity at this time of adversity
James Irvine
Teviot Scientific, Cultybraggan Farm, Comrie,
Perthshire
Filed 13 Jun 07
©www.land-care.org.uk
The National Beef Association
(NBA) had been given an unnecessarily bumpy ride by some determined
critics over the £39,000 shortfall in its 2005 accounts but
both its board, and its loyal staff, had been vindicated by confirmation
of a £43,000 surplus for 2006, its chairman, Duff Burrell,
told members at its annual meeting in Hexham, Northumberland on
Friday, 8th June.
The 2006 accounts were robust,
contained no fudges or improper write downs, and were open to any
questions that the members might wish to put through Messrs McCowie,
the Association’s accountants.
However problems created by
the breakaway of the Scottish Beef Cattle Association (SBCA) during
this stormy period remained (1)
– not least of which was the inability of the NBA’s
board of management to regain possession of a Bank of Scotland account,
through which the subscriptions of 82 of its Scottish members had
been paid, and which has not been returned by former NBA office
holders in Scotland who had since taken positions within the SBCA
(2).
Mr Burrell told the meeting
“The NBA has still
not got access to this account and we therefore have no knowledge
of exactly how much of our membership subscription income is still
being paid into it or how much money it holds.”
He went on to say that
“We continue to ask
the Bank of Scotland to acknowledge that this account was under
the control of the NBA’s board of management, should not
be held by signatories who are no longer part of the NBA, and
should be returned to the Association but so far no progress has
been made and its management has not been restored to the NBA’s
directors.”
It was also reported that
£11,000 of the £39,000 loss recorded in 2005 had been
discovered within the regional account run by former office holders
in Scotland.
Other losses included £14,000 recorded by the NBA’s
central office as a result of successful investment into achieving
charitable status and further investment to secure long term savings
by moving the head office from Malvern to Hexham. There was also
a £10,000 loss in our South West region which had raised £20,000
in 2004 from its bi-annual beef event and retained £10,000
to spend on regional development projects over 2005.
The Chairman added
“But the NBA’s
2005 accounts also recorded an unexpected and unbudgeted £11,000
loss in our Scottish region and its office holders at the time
were vociferous critics of the NBA’s financial management
even though they contributed to almost 30 per cent of the total
shortfall.”
“Fortunately these losses were more than corrected over
2006 when the Association not only increased its staff, and staff
spending but also added considerably to the depth of the work
load it successfully undertakes on behalf of beef farmers across
the UK.”
Anyone wanting more information
can contact Duff Burrell on 07764 409 027.
It is a matter of much regret
that disharmony among Scotland's beef producers has resulted in
a breakaway group - namely, the SBCA - setting up on its own, but
in general pursuing the same objectives. It would indeed appear
that there was little justification for the accusations made against
NBA HQ, either in relation to the financial management exercised
by NBA HQ, or against the competence of its Chief Executive, Robert
Forster (3). It now transpires
that the financial accounts of the splinter group are allegedly
open to substantial question, according to NBA's auditors.
There can be little doubt that the
interests of Scotland's beef producers are best served by an organisation
that has strong links with the politicians at Westminster as well
as at Holyrood, and - through both these bodies - with Europe.
The way things have worked
out, the NBA has done well by Scotland. Not only have the aggressive
allegations made by a power seeking splinter group been shown to
be false, but the relocation of NBA HQ to Hexham is of considerable
advantage to Scotland through easier access. It has long been known
that Robert Forster intended to retire in 2007. A new Chief Executive
has been appointed and takes up office in August. If he has but
half of the communication skills of Robert Forster he should do
alright.
Suckler herds on less favoured
land in Scotland are under severe economic pressure, especially
if they have to use employed labour (4).
The way forward - if there is one - is to produce the highest quality
of product, backed by claims which the public can trust. The existence
of a splinter group with accounts that are open to question is not
likely to be helpful.
Perhaps it may not be too much
to hope that those who were so determined to breakaway from the
NBA could bury their personal vendettas, adjust their egos and rejoin
the Scottish Region of the NBA. Available resources, both in terms
of people and money, could then be put to maximum advantage.
Currently, the Scottish sheep industry
is in crisis: as indeed is its dairy industry. Its iconic beef industry
is under serious threat. As a result of poor legislation passed
by the previous Scottish Parliament, land tenancies are in disarray,
making it very difficult for young people to get a start in farming.
The number of bureaucrats employed by the State per person who actually
works on a farm seems to have achieved an absurd high: such as to
be quite "unsustainable," to use their own jargon.
But Scotland now has a new
Parliament where no single party has overall power (5).
Each issue - including Scottish farming - has to be individually
debated, instead of railroaded through in pursuit of an ideological
agenda that was seriously impractical and economically wasteful.
The ruling Labour party at
Westminster is cracking at the seems, and will likewise have to
consider each political issue much more carefully if it is to have
any hope of being re-elected in some two years time. The EU is going
to face much turmoil over the future of the Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) with a number of its major Member States deeply dissatisfied
with the way things are shaping up.
Now is the time to concentrate
our resources to protect our industry: an industry that is an essential
ingredient of Scotland's true natural heritage.
©www.land-care.org.uk
References
1. Editorial (2006).
NBA Scotland new Council astonished that handover of bank accounts
and other records has not been made.
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 10 Sep 06,
www.land-care.org.uk Click
Here to View
2. www.scottishbeefcattleassociation.org.uk
3. Editorial (2005).
Dismay at disharmony within the NBA and between the NBA and the
breed societies.
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 04 Jun 05,
www.land-care.org.uk Click
Here to View
4. Gillanders, Eddie
(2007). Reality kicks in as shortages bite.
Originally published as a Leader in the April 2007 issue of
Farming North East, it is reproduced on Land-Care with the kind
permission of its author and of the journal.
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 16 May 07,
www.land-care.org.uk Click
Here to View
5. Editorial (2007).
Scotland's new Parliament: the election of the Presiding Officer.
See SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL Homepage, filed 17 May 07,
www.land-care.org.uk Click
Here to View
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