Jim Walker, president of the National Union of Farmers in Scotland (NFUS), and Robin Spence, an official in Dumfries, represented the industry during the foot-and-mouth crisis last year.

Mr Walker, who was awarded a CBE, said he was pleased that his efforts had been acknowledged, while Mr Spence said his MBE belonged to the community in the south of Scotland.

I'd like to pay tribute to all those people I worked with who didn't get an MBE but also spent much of their time helping others during the foot-and-mouth crisis

Robin Spence, NFUS Dumfries

Mr Walker said: "Through the problems of BSE, the horrors of foot-and-mouth last year and unsustainable farm incomes for the past few years, one thing has remained the same - my determination to fight for what's best for rural Scotland.

"I am delighted that that fight has been recognised. But the work's not done and the fight goes on."

Mr Walker lobbied Downing Street to secure an aid package for Scottish farmers caught up in the foot-and-mouth crisis.

He became vice-president in 1998 after playing a part in protests against Irish beef imports at Stranraer docks.

In 1999, he was elected NFUS president and has now become a director of industry body Quality Meat Scotland.

The 41-year-old said: "I was one of over 1,000 Scottish farmers who set off for the docks at Stranraer in late 1997.

Jim Walker: Surprised to be honoured

"But I never envisaged that I would end up as a spokesman for the industry some four months later.

"Needless to say, this latest turn of events is equally unexpected."

Mr Spence had more than 600 cattle and nearly 700 sheep slaughtered on his 1,000-acre farm near Lockerbie in March last year during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

He was heavily involved in relief efforts for other farmers.

The 36-year-old, who became vice-president of the NFUS in Dumfries in 2000, said: "This is truly an honour especially in the Queen's Jubilee year.

'Entire community'

"I'd like to pay tribute to all those people I worked with who didn't get an MBE but also spent much of their time helping others during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

"This award is a recognition of the work of the entire community who all pulled together during that trying time."

Mr Walker farms a total of 3,000 acres with 500 suckler cows and 1,900 breeding ewes on two units at Drumbuie and Sanquhar in the Scottish Borders.

He is married with three children - one 13-year-old daughter and two sons, aged 11 and nine.

Mr Spence, who is unmarried and cites his hobbies as curling and shooting, devotes most of his time to his farm and its 800 cattle.