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Farm shows go ahead despite ban Crowd at shows despite animal ban
(about 4 hours later)
Two of Wales's top agricultural shows are to open on Tuesday, despite restrictions imposed after the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England. Crowds have flocked to two of Wales's top agricultural shows which have opened despite restrictions after the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.
The two-day Anglesey Show and the three-day Pembrokeshire Show are going ahead, but without class competitions for cattle, sheep, pigs or goats. The Anglesey Show and the Pembrokeshire Show have no class competitions for cattle, sheep, pigs or goats.
A ban on animal movements was relaxed in Wales at the weekend but they cannot be taken to agricultural events. Precautions against foot-and-mouth have been introduced at the Anglesey Show, with disinfectant mats at entrances.
Farmers' leaders now want a timetable on further easing of the movements ban. The shows' openings come as another possible foot-and-mouth case has been identified, at a farm in Kent.
The two shows are considered to be second only to the Royal Welsh which was held before the first case of foot-and-mouth was discovered in Surrey. The agricultural shows - Anglesey's is for two days and Pembrokeshire's for three days - are considered to be second only to the Royal Welsh, held before the first case of foot-and-mouth was discovered in Surrey.
The ban on cattle movement has eased but not enough for showsThe ban on cattle movement has eased but not enough for shows
Because of the general ban on the movement of animals which came into force 11 days ago, both shows taking place this week have had to cancel classes for all cloven hoofed animals. A ban on farm animal movements was relaxed in Wales at the weekend but livestock cannot be taken to agricultural events.
However, the farm animals now can be moved for welfare reasons or be taken straight from to the abattoir. Both shows taking place this week have had to cancel classes for all cloven hoofed animals.
Disinfectant mats have been placed at all the entrances to the Anglesey Show as a disease prevention measure. Visiting the Anglesey Show, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she was disappointed at news of the possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent.
Organisers held an emergency meeting a week ago and decided to go ahead with the show despite the UK-wide restrictions. "I hope that as the day progresses we find that it is a false alarm because it will be a real setback for all of us who have been involved in this disease control if we do have another case of foot-and-mouth, especially one which is outside the current control zone," she said.
Show president Islwyn Humphreys said: "Cancelling the whole show was never an option. 'Compensation'
We think we'll probably lose about £25,000 which includes the costs we've already incurred and also returning competing fees to exhibitors who are now not able to come to the show Anglesey show organiser Aled Hughes Organisers of the Anglesey show, whose attractions include a 1,000 horses, 350 trade stands and an horticultural marquee, decided last week that cancelling was not an option.
"We have so many other attractions including over a 1,000 horses, 350 trade stands and an horticultural marquee full of produce." The show usually attracts up to 30,000 visitors on both days, but organisers have had to return competition fees for cancelled livestock events and fear the show may lose money this year.
The show usually attracts up to 30,000 visitors on both days, but is still expected to lose money as a result of the enforced changes this year. They are considering a bid for compensation from the assembly government
Show Organiser Aled Hughes said: "We think we'll probably lose about £25,000 which includes the costs we've already incurred and also returning competing fees to exhibitors who are now not able to come to the show." Islwyn Humphreys, Anglesey Show President said: "I do trust that the assembly will look favourably, not just on Sioe Mon (the Anglesey Show) but other shows in Wales."
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones is visiting the Anglesey Show on Tuesday and will pay a visit to the Pembrokeshire, Lampeter and Gors Goch shows later in the week. However, Ms Jones said that while she was "painfully aware" of the losses facing the farming community there was "not a mechanism" for dealing with such claims.
She said: "Many of our rural economies rely on the success of shows like these and it is so important that people come out and support them. Since the movements bans was eased, farm animals now can be moved for welfare reasons or be taken straight from to the abattoir.
"The shows are a great day out and are the perfect way to entertain the family as the school holidays draw to a close. There is still so much to see and do.
"I must stress that it remains vital that farmers continue to be vigilant and maintain strict biosecurity."
During in the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak which spread to Wales, major events were cancelled including the Anglesey Show and the Royal Welsh.During in the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak which spread to Wales, major events were cancelled including the Anglesey Show and the Royal Welsh.