February AgriScot Cancelled

The Directors of AgriScot have described their huge disappointment following a Board meeting at which they took the decision to cancel the forthcoming farm business event.

AgriScot was unable to take place on its usual mid-November calendar date due to the use of the venue at Ingliston as a Covid Vaccination Centre; a new date was therefore set to hold the event on 9th February 2022 instead.  Now, new Covid restrictions, designed to combat the Omicron strain of the virus, mean that this February date is no longer possible.

Robert Neill, Chairman of the AgriScot Board of Directors commented:

“The health and safety of all involved in AgriScot, from visitors to organisers to tradestand staff, is our top priority. 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.  We waited until today’s Scottish Government announcement to make a final decision but it is still difficult, in fact impossible, to predict how long such restrictions may be in place and therefore it is impossible for us to continue to plan for February 9th.”

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

“I would like to pay tribute to my fellow Directors and all those involved in the event behind the scenes.  Everyone works so hard to stage the event for the good of the agricultural industry and so much effort has already gone into making February happen, it is desperately disappointing to see much of that endeavour lost.”

“What is not lost however, is the AgriScot Farm of the Year awards and our Business Skills Award.  We have great finalists lined up for these awards and they deserve to be recognised.  We will shortly announce our plans to present these 2021 awards. We also plan to judge the superb number of entries for our silage competition and announce the winners of that too.”

“Myself and my fellow Directors are acutely aware of the importance of agricultural events, not just with a business focus like AgriScot, but across the spectrum of shows, conferences, open-days etc. These play a vital role in ensuring the mental well-being of our farming communities.  It is my heartfelt wish that we will see a much more normal calendar of events in 2022 for the good of everyone.”