AgriScot farm business event cancelled

Scottish agriculture’s big winter get-together, AgriScot, which had been moved from its November time slot to February due to the Covid pandemic, has fallen victim to the ongoing Coronavirus threat.

Following a board meeting this week, the directors of the event described their huge disappointment as they took the decision to cancel the rescheduled farm business event.

The initial cancellation had been made as the venue at Ingliston was being used as a Covid Vaccination Centre, but the current Covid restrictions and recommendations designed to combat the Omicron strain of the virus, meant that the February date was no longer possible.

“The health and safety of all involved in AgriScot, from visitors to organisers to trade stand staff, is our top priority,” said chairman Robert Neill.

“That said, it is with huge disappointment and heavy hearts that we have made the decision to cancel the February event.”

“Current restrictions for indoor gatherings in Scotland mean that we would not be able to proceed.”

He said the board had waited until yesterday’s Scottish Government announcement to make a final decision but it remained difficult, if not impossible, to predict how long restrictions would be in place, making it impossible to continue to plan for February 9.

“We will immediately begin the planning process to bring AgriScot back into its regular date on 16 November 2022,” he added.

However, he revealed that the AgriScot Farm of the Year awards and the Business Skills Award would still go ahead – with an announcement on the presentations expected shortly.