Livestock entries in this year’s West Mid Show are set to be slashed over fears about Bluetongue, the Chronicle can reveal.
The famous agricultural event usually features thousands of different livestock with more than 220 categories for sheep and cattle.
But the number of entries in the 2008 show, which is being held on June 21-22, is threatened by the disease which affects cattle and sheep.
Farmers fear their animals could catch Bluetongue from other entries, even if a much-awaited vaccine is made available in time, and the disease has been branded as a potentially greater problem than foot and mouth.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has designated Shropshire as a Bluetongue surveillance zone.
Sheep and cattle can be moved around within the county but if breeders from Wales – who form a large contingent of the show’s entries – wanted to bring their animals to the show, they would not be able to take them back home again.
A Defra spokesperson said even when a vaccination to protect animals from Bluetongue becomes available it could be some time before it is offered to Shropshire farmers.
The matter was discussed at the West Mid Show Council’s AGM last week when farmers raised their concerns.
Tudor Bebb (left), a member of the West Mid Show Council, usually enters a dozen Texel Sheep at the event. He said at risk animals would be at the show only if the vaccination was delivered on time.
“We don’t know at the moment, it depends when DEFRA release it. But there’s going to be a hell of a demand for it when it is released.
“The West Mid Show is renowned for its top quality livestock, it’s the heart of the show. But I don’t think a lot of the pedigree livestock will be showing this year, that will be too risky.”
Rob Draper, a Texel sheep farmer based at Montford Bridge and a member of the show’s council, said even if his animals are vaccinated against the disease in time for the event he will still have to think twice about showing them this year.
“We would love to exhibit. Our family have been doing it for years, but I need Bluetongue like a hole in the head.”
He said if he were to go to the show with his sheep they might be in a pen next to animals from out of the area which could have the disease.
“I don’t need that to happen just for the sake of winning a rosette,” he added.
“I have reservations, we need people to enter but we can’t hide it. I’m not trying to put anyone off but I do see it as a far greater problem than foot and mouth.”
Gary Tudor, the commercial director of the West Mid Show, said the situation was beyond the control of the committee.
“We just have to wait and see what DEFRA says, but I would certainly like to assure people that regardless of the Bluetongue situation at the time, the show will go on.”