Scottish cereals assurance body adds eighth co-op

Cereals assurance body Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) has bolstered its board by adding an eighth co-op and appointed new representatives to the fold. 

SQC’s board has traditionally included seven stakeholder organisations’ representatives from across the supply chain – which make up the SQC Co-op – including Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the Maltsters Association of Great Britain and UK Flour Millers.

See also: Scots Quality Crops to streamline on-farm audit process

Scottish Agronomy, represented by managing director Adam Christie, will now also join the co-op. 

SQC, which was first established in 1994 to provide quality assurance for grain markets, has just one part-time employee, the managing director who is supported and advised by the board representing different stages of the supply chain from grower to buyer.  

The board

The Scotch Whisky Association has been represented on the SQC board for many years by Peter Nelson, who has retired as operations director at The Glenmorangie Company

Ronald Daalmans, sustainability director with Chivas Brothers, will now represent the SWA on the SQC board.  

SQC also welcomes Neil White, who will be representing NFU Scotland, as he takes over from Mark McCallum, who remains on the board as vice-chairman, an “independent role”.  

Fiona Burnett, who has represented SRUC on the SQC board, will now also be in an independent role as SQC’s technical director.

SRUC arable consultant David Ross has been appointed as the college’s representative. 

A critical time

The changes to the board come at a critical time as SQC continues its work to ensure quality assurance for crops is effective and efficient, particularly following the Farm Assurance Review at the end of 2024.

SQC is also making digital advances to improve processes and efficiencies for growers and the supply chain. 

“We are very pleased that SQC’s work was positively recognised in the Farm Assurance Review, but the work never stops.

“We are now a very strong board of 13 experts from across the sector and we look forward to working together and maximising their broad experience to ensure that the assurance scheme and standards remain relevant as we move forward,” said Teresa Dougall, SQC managing director.