The FCI has postponed Contractor Day 2021 until spring 2022, “subject to government advice early in the new year”.
The association’s move follows discussions and advice from Health Service Executive’s public health division and Gurteen Agricultural College.
The members of the association’s executive council made the decision at an online meeting on Monday, November 15th, 2021.
They agreed to re-examine all the public health issues in January 2022. Furthermore, they plan to possibly stage the re-named FCI Contractor Day 2022 in February.
Contractor Day 2021
The FCI listed the following as the reasons for the postponement:
- The continuing rise in the incidence of positive COVID-19 test results over the past week;
- The government advice to further limit social contacts.
Contractor Day 2022
FCI has received FBD Insurance’s continuing support, in its plans to stage the FCI Contractor Day 2022 event next year.
The event will retain its focus of providing farm & forestry contractors with a one-day event.
It will begin with a series of short interview-type seminars in the Gurteen College, Sports Hall and a targeted machinery exhibition in the College Equestrian Centre will follow.
All visitors and exhibitors at the rescheduled FCI Contractor Day 2022 will be required to provide evidence of a COVID Vaccination Certificate on entry to the event.
“It will also be a mask-wearing event, in adhering to current Government guidelines,” the FCI said.
John Hughes, national FCI chair, said:
“We have informed and thanked all of our exhibitors, sponsors and FCI members for their continuing support in staging the FCI Contractor Day 2022 as we chart the difficult and constantly changing conditions as presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.”
“At this time, the issues of public health take priority for our members and their families.”
“We are hopeful of an easing of the pandemic situation in 2022 as we plan for a rescheduled event for all farm & forestry contractors at Gurteen College in early Spring 2022,” he concluded.
