Guild member Philip Bolam has been instrumental in pulling together a packed programme and top speakers for the 24th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) in Edinburgh.
“The RASC is a confederation of 51 Commonwealth agricultural show societies embracing 21 countries across the World,” explains Philip. “The programme covers far-reaching Scottish and Global agricultural affairs, and I’m particularly pleased that, as conference secretary, I’ve got speakers on African affairs at the grassroots.”
Philip Bolam
Despite the economic downturn, there will be 170 delegates at the conference on 28-30 June, of which 60 are of the ‘next generation’ – under 35 years old.
“The overall theme is Cooperation & Collaboration, and after the first day welcome from Richard Lockhead, Scottish Minister for rural affairs and environment, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s keynote address, papers will be given on aspects of Scottish agriculture,” notes Philip. “The line-up includes James Graham of SAOS; BBC Trustee Jeremy Peat; Frazer Scott of CWS; Gareth Baird, Crown Estates; and Jim McLaren of the Scottish NFU.”
Tesco and Graham Dairies are also contributing papers and on the Global Day, there are papers on climate change, successful Grassroots Operations in developing countries, the work of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, and anaerobic digestion.
Guild members who would like to cover all or part of the conference can get full details at the RASC website or by contacting Philip Bolam.
