Charles Abel • Club Chairman
Borders Chairman for 2021
The Club’s 2021 Chairman has a passion for beef, pedigree Limousins and working for the best interests of the farming industry. Charles Abel introduces Keith Redpath BORDERS farmer Keith Redpath first visited The Farmers Club in 1996 when 200 beef farmers gathered prior to visiting 10 Downing Street to present a rib of beef to Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of efforts to rebuild the beef sector post-BSE. Little did he think that 25 years later he would be Chairman of the Club, and that the nation would once again be grappling with a major challenge – this time part of a global pandemic. “It is such an irony that after so many years of working to help the industry recover from some of its biggest challenges, here we are again looking to emerge from yet more disruption.” Key to any rebuilding effort is working together with people, he reflects. “It worked with the beef sector and it will be key for our Club as we look to recover from the current situation. So I’m looking forward to the year ahead, as we return to something closer to normal, supported by the
06 • The Farmers Club New Year 2021
huge efforts of our Executive Team and the various Committees that work with them.” Industry role With up to 350 prime beef animals fattening on potato waste and brewers grains near Kelso ready for export to Europe, it was no surprise that Keith become politically engaged in fighting for the industry and beef in particular, back in the 1990s. The initial BSE compensation policy paid the same £286/head for prime 1000kg beef animals, worth over £2000 each, as a dairy culls worth nearer £200. Keith was part of the discussions at the heart of Government, which successfully over-turned the policy, and eventually led to the creation of the National Beef Association. During the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis he was again involved in discussions with Defra, the NFU, the Chief Vet, and Government Cobra meetings.
2021 Chairman Keith Redpath with wife Grace at their farm in Kelso, Scotland
