NFUS meetings put on hold over coronavirus
While many in the farming industry might be set to undergo a routine period of self–isolation – with the spring work of lambing, calving, ploughing and seeding all set to commence – the industry has not, however, been immune from having to take tough decisions on whether to proceed with planned meetings.
And a number of industry events have already been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Yesterday NFU Scotland which hosts regional and branch meetings around the country announced that it had taken the difficult decision to temporarily ask the membership to not hold any meetings or gatherings until further notice.
Issuing the precautionary request, union president Andrew Mccornick said that it had not been an easy step to take as Government guidelines were not yet at this level:
“However, this decision will allow us to take stock and behave responsibly for both our members and staff,” said Mccornick.
“We, as a union and as individuals, have a duty of care for each other, and this cannot be lost in these unusual and exceptional circumstances. As every sector of society puts plans in place to mitigate the impact of the disease, the farming fraternity must act responsibly when it comes to limiting the spread of this virus,” said Mccornick.
“It is just being cautious – so please keep in touch with one another and your neighbours. We are working with an unknown and relying on science and politicians to guide us.”
The cancellations came shortly after it had been announced that the English NFU’S proposed mass rally of farmers to be held in London at the end of March to press home the importance of maintaining standards in international trade deals had been postponed.
Mccornick added that NFU Scotland’s own plans to celebrate Scottish food and farming across the country on 23 May were under review.
And, an organisation which might understand the underlying principles of countering epidemics and encouraging herd immunity better than anyone, the Moredun animal disease research institute, announced that it had cancelled an event to celebrate 100 years since its inception which had been set to take place next week at the Scottish Parliament.
Expressing her regrets, Julie Fitzpatrick, the organisation’s scientific director thanked all involved for their support and said it was hoped the event could be re-schedule for later in the year.
The Association of Deer Management Groups also announced that its annual general meeting – an annual gathering of around 200 of Scotland’s upland deer managers due to take place at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness next week – has also been postponed.
The group’s chairman, Richard Cooke, said it would be rescheduled for a later date, probably in the autumn:
“It is most unfortunate that, in the middle of the Scottish Government Deer Review process, we are unable to meet, particularly as we really require to discuss the recent SNH and Deer Working Group reports with members,” said Cooke.
And he encouraged members to access the documents on the association’s website and to forward their comments.