MLA’s 2020 Annual General Meeting – an important component of the Red Meat event schedule – will still take place on November 19 with more information to follow on how this will be delivered, most likely online.

The event, which has in recent years included on-farm producer tours, forums, a red meat showcase, and cookery demonstrations, is held each November in a different destination – with Toowoomba being chosen for 2020.

MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said that given massive uncertainty around ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, cancelling the Red Meat event was a regrettable but common-sense decision.

“We are disappointed that we won’t be in Toowoomba in November, but it is important we made the decision now. Large events such as Red Meat are just not feasible in the current environment and so the only sensible course of action was to cancel for 2020,” Mr Strong said.

“Each November, the Red Meat event offers MLA an excellent opportunity to engage with producers and the wider red meat supply chain. Based on registration numbers and feedback from 2018 and 2019, red meat producers see it as an important event to attend and find out more about how their levies are being invested by MLA.

“We absolutely want to ensure that red meat producers have this opportunity in 2020, which will more than likely be delivered through a series of online events and webinars – and we will have more information on those in the coming weeks.

“It is important to reiterate that MLA’s AGM will still take place on 19 November. MLA members are currently receiving their Levies Notice Packs and I encourage everyone to return those to secure full voting entitlements at this year’s AGM.”