Farm Aid cancelled after US attacks


14 September 2001



Farm Aid cancelled after US attacks

By FWi staff

THE Farm Aid benefit concert in aid of farmers hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis has been called off after the terrorist attacks in the USA.

But there are hopes that the event may be revived at a later date.

The concert, organised by Michael Eavis, the dairy farmer who runs the Glastonbury Festival, was due to take place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 27 October.

But after the terrorist attack on the USA he has decided it will not be appropriate to hold the concert, according to Gordon Gatward, chairman of the ARC Addington fund, one of the charities that would have benefitted from the concert.

He said it was a big blow to farmers.

“This has happened because of the US situation. I believe it has been postponed rather than cancelled, although it is too early to say when it might be held,” he said.

The event had already run into problems with major acts, such as U2 and Robbie Williams refusing to play.

It was still due to be headlined by top bands, including Coldplay, Toploader and Ash, however.

An animal welfare group had been urging fans and bands to boycot the concert, saying farmers did not deserve extra money.

The Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (Viva) wrote to bands and planned to stage a demonstration outside the stadium.

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