About Jim Hume MSP

MSP for South of Scotland

Jim visiting the home of the famous Border Biscuits in Lanark

Jim speaking to the young folk at Berwickshire High School

Jim visiting Heiton Village Hall during his campaign to help village halls

Born in Peebles and raised in Selkirkshire, I'm a real South of Scotland man, with my roots in East Lothian, Dumfriesshire and Ayrshire. I'm a farmer by birth but I'm proud to say that my two sons now run the conservation minded family farm in the Yarrow Valley.

I've been busy over the last ten years representing the community and engaging in public service through my work with the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Borders Forest Trust and the Borders Forum for Rural Sustainability. Up until the 2007 election I was Chair of Environment and Land Use for the NFUS, a Director of NFUS and was also Chairman of Lothians and Borders NFU, looking after 1,300 members.

I was particularly active during the 2001 foot and mouth crisis and throughout my term of office in these posts I gained experience in giving evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees, lobbying regularly against and with Ministers, MEPs, MSPs, MPs and Councillors. I've also led and taken part in delegations to the European Parliament, with successful presentations to Commissioners, all the while fighting for a better deal for the South of Scotland. During my time with Scottish Enterprise Borders, I was involved in a small business scheme for the region in cooperation with Dumfries and Galloway.

I believe that economic development is key to bettering the future of any region and country.

It was a great privilege to be elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 and I'm enjoying my job a great deal because it not only gives me the chance to help individuals, but it also gives me the ability represent the South of Scotland in the Scottish Parliament.

Parliamentary committees

Member of the Scottish Parliament's European and External Relations Committee.

Substitute Member of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.

Cross Party Groups

Co-convener Cross-Party Group on Food

Deputy Convener Cross-Party Group Rural Policy

Member of Animal Welfare

Member of Cross-Party Group Epilepsy

Member of Cross-Party Group Waste Management

Co-Convener Cross Party Group on Cooperatives

Political Career

Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Environment 2007 -