Cotton Australia has cancelled the 2021 Australian Cotton Collective and postponed the industry awards dinner due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The event was due to be held from August 24 to 26 in Toowoomba.
Cotton Australia chairman Hamish McIntyre issued a statement saying organisers and Cotton Australia's board met yesterday and decided to cancel the collective and postpone the awards "due to the unacceptable risk to the health and safety of attendees posed by the growing COVID-19 outbreaks in south-east Queensland and New South Wales".
Mr McIntyre said other contributing factors for the decision were limitations to attendance presented by border closures, and the wet winter constricting the availability of growers to leave their farm and attend the collective.
"Cotton Australia is disappointed to have had to make this decision, but places the utmost importance on adhering to public health orders and ensuring the health and safety of individuals," Mr McIntyre stated.
Full refunds will be provided to those who have bought tickets.
Cotton Australia will now work towards staging a function to recognise the awards nominees and recipients at a time when it is safe and COVID restrictions allow.
Cotton Australia's annual general meeting, which was due to be held during the collective, will now be held as an online event.
"I thank all in our industry for your understanding around this decision at this challenging and unprecedented time," Mr McIntyre stated.
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