Plans for new event to replace Royal Show

THE Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) is consulting livestock breed societies to assess support for a event to succeed the Royal Show.

The concept is for a livestock event at Stoneleigh which is run by the industry, for the industry, facilitated by the RASE.

In a letter to societies, RASE chief executive Brian Warren explained the society’s proposal and assured recipients that the RASE remained committed to developing a livestock breeders’ event from 2010.

“We have invited feedback and comment from the livestock community to help us resolve the undoubted issues and the division of responsibility that would be necessary to make a new event viable,” he said.

“Since the decision to cancel the Royal Show, the society has been gathering views from the industry. What is clear is that most sectors see the future lying in an effort based at Stoneleigh Park over one or two days in July. Furthermore, individual breed societies wish to have more influence and control over their own classes, judges and stewards.

“We believe that, working together, we can produce a livestock event that is relevant, contains a platform for competition and provides the perfect showcase for the excellent genetics which underpin the British dairy, beef, sheep and pig sectors.”