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SAC Awards John Ross CBE FRAgS Honorary Fellowship

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N50
Published: 08 Jul 2010

John Ross CBE, farmer and former President of NFU Scotland, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of SAC in recognition of his outstanding contribution to agriculture and society. The honour was presented today during the SAC Graduation Ceremony in Bute Hall, University of Glasgow.

In recent years Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and RSPB Scotland Chief Executive Stuart Housden have both received Honorary Fellowships.  John Ross described himself as proud to be recognised in such a way.

“I am delighted to be receiving this tremendous honour. I have been privileged to serve the agricultural and wider community in various ways and it is very pleasing to be acknowledged by an organisation with its own proud record of supporting rural communities and industry in Scotland and further afield.”

In presenting the Honorary Fellowship, SAC Chairman lord Jamie Lindsay said SAC was proud to have worked with John Ross in his leadership role for the agriculture industry.

“We applaud his energy, enthusiasm and skills as displayed with his work in the areas of healthcare, rural and urban communities, scientific research and business.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with him as agriculture and rural communities move forward to meet the challenges of our times."

John Ross achieved his position in the community affairs of Scotland without a formal post-schooling education.  A lifelong interest in public affairs proved the catalyst, especially in agricultural politics. His passion for farming is still seen in his involvement with the upland family unit at Low Auchenree, Portpatrick where, with his wife Jean, they have raised a daughter and two sons. He has 500 breeding ewes and a herd of pedigree Luing cattle.
 
John’s public life began through the Young Farmers movement and the National Farmers Union of Scotland where he was elected Vice President in 1985 when an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Ukraine spread clouds of radioactive pollution over the uplands of much of western Britain.  John was involved in successful negotiations over government support for the affected farming businesses.  From 1990 to 1996 he was NFUS President, playing a key role during significant changes to the Common Agricultural Policy which reduced the food mountains and began the introduction of a more sustainable form of agricultural and rural support system.

From 1996-2002 John was a Commissioner with the Meat and Livestock Commission, serving as Chairman of the Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association from 1997-2000. It was during this period that John headed an all-industry group examining the chain of events leading to the BSE crisis.
  
Beyond agriculture, John served as a non-executive Director of the NFU Mutual Insurance, and was Chairman of NHS Dumfries and Galloway. He is currently Chairman of the Moredun Foundation, Commissioner of the Northern Lighthouse Board and Chairman of the Programme Board for Prisoner Health Care.  He was appointed CBE in 1994 and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 1995. He is currently Deputy Lieutenant of Wigtownshire.

Addressing the students at their graduation, John Ross pointed out that, according to economists, for an economically viable, productive society you need three things:  water, food and energy.

“As graduates of SAC you are well equipped to help society maintain each of those. You have the skills, knowledge and attitudes to be a positive force in your communities, your country, continent and beyond."
 
In the citation for his Honorary Fellowship John Ross was described as being an engaging personality, a speaker of clarity and purpose. Someone with an ability to turn complex demands into practical outcomes. 

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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