Royal Welsh Show is cancelled

12 April 2001



Royal Welsh Show is cancelled

By FWi staff

THE Royal Welsh Show – Britains biggest agricultural event which attracts 250,000 visitors – has been cancelled this year due to the foot-and-mouth.

The four day Royal Welsh Show, run by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, was estimated to pump more than 30 million into the Welsh economy

“The decision not to hold the show has been taken after careful consideration of the current progress of the disease,” said the society in a statement.

“The board of management has concluded that in the best interests of farming in Wales and beyond no other course of action is possible at this stage.

It added: “Our first responsibility is to do all we can to ensure that the outbreak is brought under control and the disease eradicated as swiftly as possible.

“By cancelling the show we are reducing the risk of further contamination that might possibly occur if the event takes place, even in a scaled down form.”

The decision not to hold the event follows the cancellation of the Royal Show in England and the Royal Highland Show in Scotland.

Farmers Union of Wales President Bob Parry said: “I sympathise enormously with the Society in having to come to this extremely difficult decision.”

“The Royal Welsh Show is the jewel in the crown of Welsh agriculture. The cancellation of this years event will leave a massive void in the farming year.”