Show goes on despite cattle ban

Hundreds of livestock exhibitors were told not to attend Oswestry Show today following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey.

The outbreak has led to a ban on the movement of cattle across the country, severely affecting the popular annual agriculture show.

Janet Ward, show spokeswoman, said everyone was disappointed, but vowed the show would go on.

"We found out about the outbreak of foot and mouth disease last night," she said.

"We didn't hear from Defra, we heard it on the television. We all met at the showground at 10pm last night.

"We rang all the cattle, sheep and rare breed exhibitors and told them there was a ban on the movement of cattle and told them to not to come to the show.

"Unfortunately some came here last night, only a couple, and they have been segregated so no members of the public can go anywhere near them. There are barriers all across so there is no access.

"There are no others coming in today. The only livestock coming in is horses, we got hold of most people last night. Most people knew there was a ban on their livestock movement.

"People are disappointed, but they are still coming to the show, minus their stock.

"It is a shame the public can't see the cattle and sheep, but they can still come for the day. The only thing it is going to affect is the parade because there will be less to see, just horses."

The show was affected by foot and mouth following the outbreak in 2001, where it was cancelled several weeks beforehand.

Mrs Ward said: "It is the first time for a number of years we haven't been able to have cattle. We had to cancel the show in 2001 because of the outbreak and we knew about it in advance.

"We have never had a year like this, what with the floods and the postal strikes, but it is still going to be a good day."

Mrs Ward expressed her sorrow for farmers affected by the outbreak. She said: "I am sad for the agricultural community because it will have a knock-on effect, not just today but for the farming industry."

David Pritchard, secretary of the Oswestry branch of the National Farmers' Union, described the outbreak as potentially "a disaster" for the farming industry.

"If it's an isolated incident and contained to an area, it won¹t be that catastrophic," he said.

"If it does spread, it will be a disaster for the industry on top of its struggle with bovine tuberculosis and the after-effects of BSE, coupled with the disastrous weather we have had recently.

"This could be the final nail in the farmers' coffin financially. Farmers come to the show as it is an opportunity to exhibit their finest cattle and sheep and for the community to see what the farmers are doing and where their meat comes from.

"There will be a huge dent in the show this year as the cattle parade in the main arena is such a highlight but I hope people will still support us, even though the cattle and sheep are absent."

About 300 livestock exhibitors were contacted last night by members of the committee, but a couple of farmers had arrived before the outbreak was announced.

Farmer Andrew Oultram, of Queensferry, near Chester, arrived at the Park Hall Showground with his cattle at about 8pm last night, before the outbreak was announced and movement restrictions imposed.

"I didn't do anything about it until one of the stewards came over," he said. "We are now waiting for trading standards to make an appearance and let us know what we can or can't do.

"Apparently it was first reported on Thursday morning about the outbreak in Surrey. It was Thursday night before trading standards or the ministry got there. They decided it was too dark and would look at it in the morning. That was yesterday."

He said it was 10pm before people heard about it on the news. "By this time we were here and other people had gone to other shows," he said.

"There are lots of shows around the country at this time of year. "If they had pulled their fingers out and announced it earlier on Friday, a lot of this wouldn't have happened.

"I am disappointed. Looking at the entries, it should have been quite a good show."

Mr Oultram said he was now waiting for trading standards and a Defra vet to see if he would be issued with a licence to be able to go home.

Graham Arthan, show chairman, said everyone involved in the show was "devastated" by news of the outbreak.

"We hope it doesn't develop into anything more serious," he said. "Once the ban on movement of cattle was announced last night we made the decision to inform exhibitors, but horses are out in force today and they should give a good show.

"We're here to promote agriculture and hope everyone has a good time, but we are very sad that cattle and sheep could not join us today."

John Wigley, who farms at Drenewydd Farm, Whittington, was due to steward at the show today, but instead spent the night contacting exhibitors.

His animals escaped foot and mouth in 2001, but he said he was restricted by the movement ban. He said farmers today were hoping the situation would be resolved soon.

"I was going to do some stewarding, but it's difficult because we have spent last night telling all the exhibitors not to come," said Mr Wigley.

"We believe some people would have arrived yesterday with animals which will have to remain on the showground until the ministry gives the go-ahead for any movement.

"Hopefully it won't be too long but Oswestry Show is still open for business."

Philip Morris, a life member of the show, said he was "delighted" the show was still going ahead.

"There has been weeks of preparation on the showground and this event is a year in planning," he said.

"I think there will still be a good turnout of townspeople and farmers coming along to the show as there is more to it than just cattle."

And the show president said everyone was determined to carry on and have a great day.

Robert Hughes said: "We are just going to carry on and have a wonderful day and hope the public will support us. We are looking forward to seeing everybody.

"I saw it on the news at 10pm and realised the implications. The committee decided the show should continue and here we are. We are going to carry on and have a good day."

Visitors to the show were pouring through the gates this morning. Graham and Vi Brown, from Newport, turned up despite hearing news of the foot and mouth outbreak this morning.

"This is the first time we have been to the Oswestry Show," said Mrs Brown. "We are going to have a look around and have a lovely day, as long as the weather stays dry.

"I don't think the outbreak will affect the event, many people will still come and have a good day."

By Antonia Merola and Suzanne Roberts at the 122nd Oswestry Show