Plug pulled on AgriLIVE Smithfield
A lack of funds has forced organisers to cancel this year’s AgriLIVE Smithfield event – intended as a flagship show for the red meat sector.
The Royal Smithfield Club and the Royal Agricultural Society of England announced the cancellation of the event on Tuesday (21 September).
Both organisations blamed a lack of funds, saying they were unable to sustain the level of investment required by the show.
“We are very disappointed to be making this decision,” said Smithfield chairman John Campbell.
“The reality is that running a high quality event including large livestock classes is costly.
“We had hoped this format would be able to support these costs, but unfortunately this has not been the case.”
AgriLIVE Smithfield was launched last December as a technical business event for the red meat supply chain.
It was held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
The show incorporated the prestigious Smithfield primestock classes, once held at the now defunct Royal Smithfield Show in London.
More than 110 exhibitors and over 7500 visitors attended the 2009 event – which organisers said suggested widespread support.
The 2010 event was due to take place on 2-3 December. But organisers were unable to make budget stack up.
RASE chief executive Brian Warren said: “The RASE has worked closely with RSC to develop this event and we were pleased with the feedback from the first year.
“However it has become clear in the last few months that challenging market conditions mean the event requires significant longer term investment.
“Unfortunately funding this is not good business sense in these difficult times.”
Both the RSC and RASE were determined to build on the work done so far, said Mr Warren.
The two organisations would now seek new ways to help livestock farmers and their businesses.