The Association of Deer Management Groups annual general meeting has been postponed due to concerns over Covid-19 transmission.

Around 200 of Scotland's upland deer managers were due to meet at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, next Wednesday, March 18.

This event will now be rescheduled for a later date, probably in the Autumn.

A message from ADMG chairman Richard Cooke said: "We have been keeping a close eye on the development of Coronavirus in the UK and clearly the potential epidemic is accelerating. That being so we have reluctantly taken the precautionary decision to postpone the ADMG AGM which was due to take place on Wednesday March 18 at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness. I do apologise for any inconvenience or travel disruption caused by this relatively late but hopefully sensible decision to cancel."

"In the circumstances it is difficult to plan a new date at this juncture but we hope to be able to reschedule for the Autumn and will circulate details in due course. 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," added Mr Cooke.

To allow some discussion, the ADMG intends to put the following materials on the ADMG website next week -

  • Minutes of the 2019 AGM;
  • Chairman’s Annual Report;
  • Annual Accounts to June 30 2019;
  • Address by Francesca Osowska, CEO, SNH;
  • The ADMG submission to Scottish Government on the DWG Report recommendations.