Scottish farmers told to avoid phrase ‘farmer’s wife’

The NFU Scotland report said that the farmer could be a woman. Photo / 123RF

Farmers should stop using the phrase “farmer’s wife” as it reinforces gender stereotypes, the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Scotland has said.

A new “diversity and inclusion” strategy highlighted examples of language that had been heard at NFU meetings that it deemed “inappropriate”, including identifying a farmer as “he”.

Arguing that “the ‘farmer’ is not a man”, the report said that they could be a woman and warned: “People in leadership positions need to use correct terminology. Don’t use farmer’s wife.”

Among the other language that “reinforces stereotypes and alienates particular segments” was encouraging male farmers to attend the NFU’s annual conference by saying: “Bring your wife, the shopping is great in Glasgow.”

Similarly, discussing in a meeting “what the housewife wants” was criticised as “outdated and doesn’t reflect much of society”.

Farmers were also warned against asking each other how many acres of land they own as an “opener” in conversation as this “makes people starting out with a small farm or no farm at all not feel welcome”.

Sexist, homophobic and racist language also deemed inappropriate

NFU Scotland confirmed that it was accepting all 14 of the report’s recommendations, which followed a review conducted last year. This involved “extensive engagement with members and non-members” across the country.

The blueprint argued that there were “discriminatory practices” that were “perhaps not widespread but still taking place” that could leave the union open to legal action or exposure in the press.

The recommendations included developing a “policy for strategy and language”, and specifically “ending certain words/phrases”.

Among the other types of language deemed inappropriate were sexist, homophobic or racist jokes, and comments and the kind of “pub chat inappropriate for a board meeting but okay for a night out at 10pm on a Friday”.

One example criticised in the report was a farmer’s comment at one meeting that “Nicola Sturgeon, only good thing about her is her legs”. It said this was “very offensive, and it wasn’t called out by the chair”.

The report also recommended a review of the union’s code of conduct to include WhatsApp communication, arguing the messaging service was “being used for gossip, derogatory comments about staff or politicians and this should not be permitted”.

The 30-page document by Caroline Millar, a former NFU Scotland board member, noted that farming was “still quite a traditional sector” and “an industry where change is viewed with caution”.

It said that diversity and inclusion can be viewed as “trendy” or “woke” but said: “This view is generally from people who feel threatened by change.”

Arguing that the union should appeal to as wide a range of people as possible, it proposed that it join a Pride march “to give a clear message to gay people who may assume NFU Scotland is not for them”.

‘NFU Scotland serious about diversity’

The report also noted there were no women on the union’s main board “and this is one of the most stark measures of lack of diversity in leadership in the organisation”.

Speaking at the union’s national conference in Glasgow, John Davidson, the chief executive, said: “Publishing this report in full and committing to its recommendations sends a strong and positive signal that NFU Scotland is serious about diversity and inclusion across the organisation.

“We believe that by demonstrating leadership, reforming our operational structures, enhancing training and improving our operational practices, we can create an even more inclusive environment for all our members to get involved and flourish.”

He added that implementing the recommendations would “take a big effort from everyone across the organisation” but he was determined this would be done.

Millar said: “Following the many hundreds of conversations I had with people across the country I am pleased that the NFU Scotland Board of Directors have endorsed all of my recommendations and have agreed a timeline for delivery.”