Advisers gear up to new challenges
Advisers gear up to new challenges
A NEW more strategic approach to promoting independent agronomic advice is the order of the day at the Association of Independent Crop Consultants. The change follows an extraordinary general meeting which saw a new council of directors elected.
The nine-member board will serve until January 1999 and consists of seven regional representatives with two additional elected representatives. "There are great changes and pressure facing the agricultural industry and a number of new players have entered the independent consultancy market recently," says Peter Taylor the newly-elected chairman. "Our new council will be reviewing the AICC structure to make sure our members are fully equipped to meet the challenges."
Among the changes discussed by members were greater participation of regional groups so geographical variations can be taken into account, the changing profile of agronomic advice, developing the AICC profile and more focus on professional conduct matters.
Efforts to improve the associations image are already afoot with 34 members recently passing the BASIS ICM certificate exam.
after taking a Harper Adams Agricultural College course. And with farm assurance and input optimisation becoming ever more important, other groups of AICC members will be taking the course and exam in the New Year," adds Mr Taylor.