Douglas Ross appointed as AIC Scotland Policy Manager
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is pleased to welcome Douglas Ross as its new Policy Manager for AIC Scotland.
Douglas joins AIC with deep roots in Scottish agriculture, having grown up in Moray and worked in the dairy sector after studying at the Scottish Agricultural College. Throughout his career, he has remained closely connected to rural Scotland and the farming community.
Alongside his agricultural background, Douglas has extensive experience in public affairs and policymaking, including his tenure as Leader of the Scottish Conservatives and as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), having represented rural communities in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments.
His understanding of agriculture, combined with his knowledge of the Scottish policy landscape, will help ensure AIC Members' interests are effectively represented on the issues that matter most to their businesses.
In his role, Douglas will lead AIC's engagement in Scotland, working with Members, policymakers and stakeholders to support a thriving and competitive agricultural supply chain.
Douglas Ross said: "I am delighted to be joining AIC and working on behalf of Members across Scotland. Agriculture has been a constant throughout my life, from my early experiences growing up in a farming community to my work supporting rural businesses and economies. I understand the vital role that agricultural supply businesses play in underpinning Scotland's food and farming sectors, and I look forward to working with Members to ensure their views are heard and reflected in policy discussions."
Robert Sheasby, Chief Executive, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), said: "We are pleased to welcome Douglas Ross to AIC. Douglas brings first-hand experience of agriculture and a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing rural businesses across Scotland.
His practical knowledge of the sector, combined with his experience of engaging with policymakers and decision-makers, will be a significant asset to AIC Members. He is well placed to help ensure Members' voices are heard and championed as policy and regulatory developments continue to shape the agricultural supply chain."
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Author
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.
