SHOW season in and around South Lakeland received a boost this week with news that DEFRA has agreed to make show animals exempt from the six-day standstill, writes Farming Reporter JUSTIN HAWKINS.

But the exemption comes with some strings attached and, to qualify, all sheep, goats and cattle will have to be individually identified and kept in ministry-approved isolation away from non-show animals for six days before they can attend an event.

They may then move from show to show without incurring a further six-day standstill as long as they are kept isolated at home and as long as no animals arrive in the meantime.

The news will be a boon to agricultural show organisers, particularly of the smaller events, because it means livestock exhibitors will be able to attend shows without their farm businesses suffering a lengthy standstill.

Steve Proctor and his wife, Janet, of High Biggars Farm at Selside, were part of the farming industry delegation which met Lord Whitty this month to press the case for agricultural shows. Janet is secretary of Grayrigg Show and Steve is one of the organisers of the Westmorland County Show.

Mr Proctor said: "I didn't think he was listening, but obviously he was.

"If we had not had this change of heart by Lord Whitty, some of the smaller shows would not have happened - it is not that the shows can't be organised, it that the rules would put exhibitors off."

"Shows are part of the community in my opinion it is not just the shows themselves, but also all the other things that go on throughout the year to raise money for the societies."

Janet Proctor, Grayrigg Show secretary, was delighted at the news. Last year a 20-day standstill and strict biosecurity measures forced Grayrigg Show to abandon its farmland site and hold the show at Kendal Auction Mart. The Government's change of heart means that the show will go ahead on farmland this year.

The news has been greeted enthusiastically in agricultural circles up and down the country.

Gill Shearer, of the NFU North West, said the NFU had been among many organisations lobbying for the change since the general six-day standstill was agreed on March 4.

"It's a step in the right direction and a victory for common sense.

"It was likely that a lot of shows, large and small, would have struggled this year without exemptions. It will avoid a lot of major problems for show organisers - it was a make or break decision for many this year."

Miss Shearer also said show season was an important time for British farming; not only because it provided a morale boost for farmers and gave them a shop window for their stock, but also because - in light of the industry's current efforts to improve public perceptions of farming and reconnect with consumers with the Image of Agriculture Campaign - shows provided an important opportunity for the pubic to see live farm animals and to speak to farmers.

May 15, 2003 12:30