Welsh exhibitors are “unlikely” to be able to compete in this year’s Oswestry Show amid fears over the impact of new bluetongue rules.
Oswestry and District Agricultural Society which runs the show says it is “unlikely” that Welsh exhibitors will be able to take part this year because of bluetongue restrictions set to come into force next week.
The Welsh Government's new rules mean sheep will not be able to cross into Wales from England without a test for the disease first – regardless as to whether they are vaccinated.
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These tests can cost as much as £70 per animal meaning farmers would not be able to move large numbers of livestock across the border without facing substantial costs.
This has seen major concerns raised by local figures in agriculture such as auctioneer at Oswestry Livestock Auctions, Jonathan Bevan who said the move will have “a massive impact on business on this side of the border.”
North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan, raised concerns in parliament over the new rules and wrote a letter to DEFRA asking for them to work with the Welsh Government to fix the “catastrophic” rules.
Now after a meeting on Monday, Oswestry Show has said organisers will monitor the situation carefully but that under the current circumstances Welsh exhibitors would be unlikely to be able to show this year.
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A spokesperson for Oswestry Show said: “Oswestry and District Agricultural Society held a Livestock meeting on Monday 23rd June to discuss the effects that the new rules on Bluetongue will have on the show this year.
“From July 1 the whole of England will open as an unrestricted area whilst Scotland but most importantly Wales will stay as a restricted zone.
“The Committee agreed that the situation is evolving on a day-to-day basis and whilst at this point in time it is unlikely that exhibitors from Wales will be allowed to show this year at Oswestry, they will be monitoring the situation, following advice from the AHPA and Government Website and also talking to a local Veterinary Practice.”
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