Foot and mouth causes cancellation of Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair

The ongoing movement restrictions caused by this summer’s outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue have led to the cancellation of the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair.

The RSCF had been due to be held at the Royal Bath and West of England’s Shepton Mallet showground on 1 and 2 December, but will not now go ahead this year.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly Jane Guise, chief executive of the Royal Bath and West of England Society said there was too little clarity in the situation at the moment to allow the show to go ahead. “We still haven’t been given any indication of when may grant licences for shows and what conditions those licences may carry with them.”

This morning’s suspect foot and mouth case in East Sussex casued the organisers further concern and with little choice but to cancel said Ms Guise.

“We have been delighted with the support shown by exhibitors for the show, just the second to be held here at Shepton Mallet, and will redouble our efforts to make it bigger and better next year,” she added.

For more on this and other show and sales news see our Taking Stock blog