Foot-and-mouth threatens Royal Show

27 March 2001



Foot-and-mouth threatens Royal Show

By FWi staff

THE Royal Show, which bills itself as Europes premier agricultural event, may be cancelled or postponed because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Officials at the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), which organises the show, are debating whether to go ahead with the event scheduled for 2-5 July.

The show might have to be held without livestock – a situation not seen since 1952, when foot-and-mouth also prevented farm animals from being exhibited.

Organisers are also considering postponing the show until later in the year, or even calling it off altogether, if they decide it cannot go ahead as planned.

“If foot-and-mouth demands it, this would be the first Royal Show lost outside of war years since 1859,” said RASE chief executive Mike Calvert.

“However, the society has a duty to err on the side of caution and make sure that none of its activities pose an added threat to the nations livestock sector.”

The Royal Show usually attracts about 160,000 visitors to its show ground at the Royal Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

Mr Calvert said the public are anxious to know as soon as possible whether the event would proceed. A final decision will be made before 12 April.

September has emerged as a possible date for a rescheduled show -partly because the months of July and August are already busy with other events.

The Royal Cornwall Show, which was due to take place on 7-9 June at its Wadebridge show ground, has been rescheduled for 13-15 September.

The Three Counties Show, which was due to take place at Malvern, Worcestershire on 14-16 June, may now go ahead without livestock.