New SOPA Chair appointed
09 December 2011
Scottish Organic Body appoints New Chair
Organic farmer Mrs Julie Duncan has been appointed the new Chair of the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA). At the SOPA AGM earlier this year John Hamilton of Aikengall, Dunbar, intimated his intention to retire as Chair after six years at the head of Scotland's largest organic body. At SOPA's recent board meeting the Directors appointed Mrs Duncan as Chair.
Mrs Duncan manages her family organic farm at Tealing near Dundee. Balkemback has been under organic management since 2006, producing organic beef, lamb and cereals. A graduate of the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, Mrs Duncan is determined to keep SOPA at the helm of the Scottish organic sector.
"We have a dedicated membership who have faced a complex set of challenges in the past three years. The economic downturn and Rural Priorities difficulties have dented farmer confidence however these struggles can be countered with reports of record prices for organic beef, a strong premium on organic cereals, encouraging growth in the organic processing sector and organic milk sales growing steadily.
I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors and the staff at Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC) who manage our Certification and Support contracts. Thanks to John's guidance since 2005 we have a highly informed, technically proficient and robust team to continue to provide strong representation on behalf of our members."
Past Chair John Hamilton welcomed Mrs Duncan. "In the past six years I have seen our service to members develop into a highly professional scheme. SOPA is no longer simply a farmer organisation, as we now offer a wide range of organic services and protect organic integrity throughout the whole food chain. We certify food processing business, imports of organic food, and an increasing range of agricultural suppliers who service organic farmers. It is only right that the widening SOPA membership is represented with new blood and I think that Julie will inject a fresh approach on behalf of our membership"