Dear Semi-Finalists,

As you are aware the postponement of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge 2020 Semi Final at Loughry College was due to the emerging situation around Coronavirus. We wish to reassure all our semi-finalists that we are working hard to find a suitable timeframe to re-schedule this event. We want to ensure that when we do hold our event, the challenging and unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in are behind us.

However developments emerge and evolve every day on this matter. At this point in time there is still a lack of uncertainty around the timing and duration of school closures in Northern Ireland. Our semi-final involves so many school pupils, as well as industry stakeholders as judges and employees within the food sector coming together. Therefore I hope you can explain to your pupils that these factors make it very difficult to fix at date at this time. But please reassure your pupils they will have an opportunity to showcase their work at a later date.

We will continue to keep in touch on our plans when we have more clarity. If you have any queries or wish to relay any considerations to us please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Charles Smith,

General Manager, Northern Irish Angus Producer Group