Smithfield plans annual carcass show

By Vicky Houchin

THE Royal Smithfield Club has announced proposals for a new national carcass competition and exhibition to be held annually at Londons Smithfield market.

The new competition, which will start in December next year, was announced on Sunday (5 December) at the award presentation for last weeks Smithfield Winter Fair.

The initiative has the full co-operation and support of the clubs partners responsible for the biennial Royal Smithfield Show at Earls Court in London.

Club chairman Donald Biggar said the move reflected a wider commercial role for the club away from the traditional showing of finished animals.

“It has been agreed to change our approach at Earls Court by replacing the carcass hall with a more focussed demonstration of the production of meat for the current retail market.”

Mr Biggar said breeders, producers, abattoirs, wholesalers and retailers would be brought together in one major event to display the best of British meat.

A number of organisations, including retailer Marks and Spencer, have teamed up with the Smithfield Club to promote the new competition.