The Voluntary Initiative is a programme of industry-developed measures which promotes the responsible use of pesticides, within the context of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach, to protect soil, water and the wider environment.
Comprised of eight sponsor organisations including the NFU, the VI aims to be seen as the centre of excellence on plant protection product stewardship and best practice through enhanced uptake of IPM by government, industry and stakeholders.
Innovative and practical farming
Ruth Bailey, Head of the Agricultural Engineers Association and chair of the Voluntary Initiative CIC Board, representing the VI sponsor organisations, announced the appointment of David Bell ARAgS as the new VI chair.
“After a rigorous recruitment process with an exceptional pool of candidates, we are delighted to welcome Dave to the role of VI chair,” Ruth stated.
“Dave brings extensive experience as both a farmer and an industry advocate. As a mixed farmer in East Fife, managing enterprises in cereals, beef, potatoes, and environmental initiatives across his own and contract-farmed land, he offers a deep understanding of innovative and practical farming.
“His leadership in the broader rural sector makes him ideally suited for this role.”
“Landscape management is entering an exciting and challenging era where food production and environmental protection are increasingly vital to society.”
VI chair Dave Bell
Ruth also expressed her gratitude to the outgoing chair, Phil Jarvis, for his contributions over the past four years: “Phil has built on the VI’s previous successes, positioning the organisation strategically as a leader in promoting IPM to achieve sustainable farming while enhancing environmental stewardship.”
Exciting and challenging era
Dave farms 400 hectares just to the west of St Andrews. He is a director of SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), SQC (Scottish Quality Crops) and AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds vice chair, and is active within NFU Scotland.
Among other duties Dave is a national VI IPM champion. David has a strong interest in IPM and hosts a range of on-farm trials including establishment, seed dressings, fungicides, nutrition, and applications.
Dave Bell thanked the sponsor organisations for the opportunity and shared his vision for the future: “I am excited to work with the Voluntary Initiative sponsors, Defra, VI Champions, and a broad group of stakeholders.
“Landscape management is entering an exciting and challenging era where food production and environmental protection are increasingly vital to society,” he said.
“My focus will be on finding solutions to challenges, removing barriers, and fostering collaboration to promote practices that ensure both farming and the environment thrive.”
The role of the VI chair is government-supported and funded by Defra.
The VI Board is made up of representatives from each of the eight sponsor organisations:
- the Agricultural Engineers Association
- Agricultural Industries Confederation
- Country Land and Business Association
- Crop Protection Association
- National Association of Agricultural Contractors
- the National Farmers’ Union
- NFU Scotland
- Ulster Farmers Union.
