Exerting Influence
We aim to create a political and business environment that is more favourable for the development of co-operation and collaboration. The two main strands of influence we exert are with government and it's agencies, to check and insist that all policies and supports are 'co-operation-proofed', and with industry organisations and opinion leaders, to generate awareness and understanding of the successes of, and potential opportunities for, co-operation and collaboration.
SAOS staff, office holders and member appointees represent member co-ops and SAOS in the following national forums:
- SEERAD Agriculture Strategy Group (and the Food Production and Marketing Sub-Group),
- Scottish Food and Drink Stakeholder Group and Working Group
- Scottish Parliament Cross Party Food Group
- Scottish Parliament Cross Party Economy Group
- Scottish Parliament Cross Party Rural Policy Group
- Best Practice Working Group (SAC/NFUS/Scottish Enterprise/SAOS)
- NFU Scotland Combinable Crops Committee
- NFU Scotland Pigs and Poultry Committee
- NFU Scotland Biofuels Group
- NFU Scotland Legal and Technical Committee
- NFU Scotland Milk Committee
- Scottish Quality Cereals
- The Food and Health Alliance Steering Group
- Co-operative Development Scotland
- Co-operative Education Trust Scotland
- Co-operative and Mutual Business Services
- UK Co-op Forum
- Co-operatives UK