Tributes have been paid to a farmer who helped lead Dumfries and Galloway through the foot and mouth crisis.
Andrew Campbell, who farmed at Cuil near Castle Douglas, died on Sunday.
As well as being a farmer, he was also a councillor for 12 years and convener for six – a period which covered foot and mouth in 2001.
NFU Scotland’s communications director, Bob Carruth, said: “I think that was incredibly beneficial because he could empathise with the trauma many of his fellow farmers were going through.
“For those farmers who had either lost their livestock to the disease or were part of the contingency culling, he’d know just how much their livestock would mean to them and what the loss of that would have on them – not just in terms of their business but mentally as well.”
The current council convener, Malcolm Johnstone, paid tribute to Mr Campbell before Tuesday’s full council meeting.
He said: “Andrew was a strong advocate of local government and proud of his local councillor role; and he took every opportunity to lead new ways of working.
“Highlights included bringing together health and social work services under one roof through the creation of Garden Hill Health Centre in Castle Douglas; advocating for national festivals and events such as attracting the Tour of Britain cycle race to Dumfries and Galloway; and the formation of local initiatives throughout the region with their focus on community action.
“In the period before multi-member wards, Andrew was particularly pleased to be elected in 2003 with over 85 per cent of the vote.
“One of the most significant incidents that Andrew dealt with during his term of office was responding to foot and mouth disease which hit our region in 2001.
“The manner in which Andrew led this major incident brought national and international praise to our region.”
He added: “As well as dealing with the immediate impacts of foot and mouth, Andrew was instrumental in the preparation of our region’s economic recovery plan, with its focus on welcoming back visitors and celebrating our beautiful region.
“Andrew thrived in his role as council convener as it gave him the opportunity to ensure the voice of Dumfries and Galloway was heard at a national level and he was indeed a formidable force in successfully representing our region.
“This period also coincided with the creation of the Scottish Parliament and, as COSLA vice president, he was passionate about lobbying for both Dumfries and Galloway and the wider issues affecting rural Scotland.
“Andrew was awarded a CBE for his contribution to public life and also served as Deputy Lieutenant for the Stewartry. He looked back with fondness to the Queen’s visit to Castle Douglas in 2010 which had showcased the vital role of agriculture, food and drink, as well as tourism to our regional economy.
“Whilst public service was undoubtedly a huge part of Andrew’s life, he loved his family and was never happier than when he was with his wife Maureen and their children and grandchildren.
“As we know, farmers never retire, and Andrew loved still being involved with the family farm at Cuil near Castle Douglas. I speak for the whole council in paying tribute to Andrew and his public service.”
Mr Campbell was an independent councillor for Castle Douglas Urr from 1995 until retiring in 2007. Between 1999 and 2006 he was convener.
He was awarded an OBE in 1997 for services to agriculture and a CBE for services to local government in 2003.
Mr Campbell held a range of other appointments, including vice president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and board member of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, The Royal Highland Show, Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise, the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and Scottish Natural Heritage.
