Coverage of the agricultural industry in north Scotland has won Press and Journal writer Joe Watson an industry award.

Joe won the inaugural Grampian County Food Group and Royal Northern Agricultural Society shield for achievements by a person under 35.

The business and agriculture editor accepted the award on behalf of his colleagues at the P&J, and said: “This award is for the team who put together the P&J and just as it’s for me, it’s very much too for the editor, Derek Tucker.

“Without his support I wouldn’t have been able to travel the world to bring you the wider picture from overseas.”

Joe has been agriculture editor since 1996 and the business remit – which includes oil, fishing, business and city news – was added in 2000.

He was nominated for the award in recognition of his “tremendous contribution” to agriculture in the newspaper’s circulation area and beyond, as well as for his achievements as a journalist.

Presenting the award, Alasdair Cox of the Food Group said: “The agricultural industry in the north-east is particularly lucky in having good coverage within the Press and Journal.

“The one thing which comes through from Joe’s writing is his deep interest in the wellbeing of the agricultural industry and a clear appreciation of its importance to the north-east.”

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