ANGUS-BASED Amy Geddes is to take over the chair of a valuable industry-led initiative in Scotland that promotes the responsible use of plant protection products through Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Ms Geddes, a fourth-generation farmer at Wester Braikie Farms, near Arbroath, in partnership with her parents farms 320 ha of seed potatoes, spring barley, winter oilseed rape, wheat and vining peas. She joined the board of Scottish Agronomy in 2022 and is currently co-vice chair of NFUS Combinable Crops committee.

READ MORE: Quicker and easier product handling is the aim for ADAMA

As well as representing NFUS at UK-level strategy planning, she will lead on the Voluntary Initiative (VI) in Scotland, representing Scottish interests at its UK level – it's a body which encourages the responsible use of plant protection products (PPPs), also known as pesticides, to help ensure that every farmer and grower places IPM at the heart of decision making on farm.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I am looking forward to continuing and building on the work by the Scottish VI and retiring chair, Dave Bell. Through the Scottish VI, we will continue to promote best practice, grow awareness of IPM and strengthen relationships across the industry and partners.”

It works to reduce the risks of pesticide pollution and to mitigate diffuse pollution risks; works with landowners to protect and increase habitats for pollinators, including bees and farmland birds, and continues to promote best practice and the responsible use of pesticides through different accreditation schemes, training, and practical tools to protect water and the wider environment.

READ MORE: EU farming lobby wants impact assessment on EU pesticide curb

It also comes with the news that NFUS vice-president, Andrew Connon, will now represent Scottish VI at a UK VI Board Level. He said: “As well as promoting best practice, the Scottish VI has an important role in preventing over-regulation of pesticide use within our industry.

“It will also support the priorities of our Combinable Crops committee and Potatoes and Horticultural working groups as we look to preserve the range of active ingredients available in our plant protection products. Having all the tools in the toolbox will be important in the production of safe, nutritious and healthy crops in the future."