Rural shows facing tough rules (From Gazette & Herald)

Rural shows facing tough rules

FARMING shows across North Yorkshire are set to go ahead without livestock because foot and mouth regulations are proving too expensive for many organisers.

Government rules mean committees planning to show livestock have to employ stewards to clean up all animal droppings to prevent any potential spread of the disease.

Organisers of larger events like the Great Yorkshire Show, in Harrogate, are planning to abide strictly by the regulations.

But organisers of smaller shows claim the rules go too far.

Joyce Harrison, secretary of the Egton Show, which takes place on August 21, said the show will go ahead, but with no livestock.

"We are allowed to have horses without having stewards cleaning up after them," she said.

"This is the first time in the show's 113-year history, apart from during the world wars when there were no shows, we have not had any livestock.

"I think the rules are going too far, especially for the smaller farmers who are struggling to afford keeping up with them."

Jenny Bird, secretary of the Malton Show, said the event will be going ahead without livestock on July 21.

"We will still be having horses and sheep dog trials with sheep. For that we will have plenty of stewards cleaning up after the sheep," she said.

"When we made our application in March the rules were very strict so at the time we felt we could not afford to have livestock."

A spokeswoman for the Great Yorkshire Show said livestock would be present at the event, which takes place from July 9 to 11 with stewards cleaning up any mess made by the animals.

"We are aware of the rules and regulations and we will be complying with them," she said.

Derek Watson, Yorkshire County National Farmers' Union chairman, said though the rules were tough, they were right at the time they were introduced.

"When these rules came into force we had only just been declared FMD free," he said.

"We have come a long way now but it is important we stop any further outbreaks.

"Last year there were no agricultural shows at all. I would prefer to have them with tough regulations than not have them at all."

Updated: 09:02 Thursday, June 06, 2002