Latest news with #RoyalWelshShow
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Royal Welsh bans English livestock amid bluetongue
The Royal Welsh Show is to ban livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the bluetongue virus. In a statement, organisers said they "recognised the growing concern" around the recent outbreak. Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) said livestock entries of animals susceptible to the virus - particularly cattle, sheep and goats - will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue virus restricted zone. The zone is to be extended to cover the whole of England from 1 July before the annual show in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells in Powys, on 21-24 July. Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3), mainly spread by midge bites, does not affect humans or risk food safety. Warning of 'massive impact' of farm virus in Wales Bluetongue virus 'causing farmers stress and anxiety' Latest Welsh Government advice RWAS said it was committed to working with and supporting exhibitors amid the outbreak and is working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Welsh government veterinary team. "Our goal is to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place, in line with the most up-to-date guidance," the statement read. "That said, we are taking steps to provide clarity based on current guidance, while being transparent that circumstances may evolve before the Royal Welsh Show in July. "This policy has been introduced to safeguard the health of livestock exhibited at this year's Royal Welsh Show and to help reduce the risk of bluetongue spreading." The RWAS said: Entries will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue restricted zone. Exhibitors who are required to travel through a restricted zone to attend the show will also not be permitted to attend. If an exhibitor enters the show but subsequently moves into a restricted zone, they will no longer be eligible to attend. Exhibitors unaffected by bluetongue restrictions will remain subject to the society's general rules and regulations. The RWAS said the policy could change according to any updates in government policy before the show. Current pre-movement testing exemptions apply in England, Scotland and Wales until 12 June when the Welsh government is due to announce an update. Last summer, the Royal Welsh Show celebrated 120 years since the annual agricultural show first began. Bluetongue does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety In rare instances, however, dogs and other carnivores can contract it if they consume infected substances such as aborted material and afterbirth. It affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – but in most cases seen since September 2024 clinical signs have been mild and animals have recovered. Bluetongue is classed as a "notifiable" disease, meaning it is an offence not to report it to the authorities. Signs of bluetongue in cattle include lethargy, crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle, and redness of the mouth, eyes and, nose. In sheep, signs include ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, and the swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck, as well as the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot). Other symptoms include red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface, fever, lameness, breathing problems, abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths. The disease can be fatal. We'll work with anyone for rural life, say farmers
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Bluetongue: Royal Welsh Show bans English livestock amid outbreak
The Royal Welsh Show is to ban livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the bluetongue a statement, organisers said they "recognised the growing concern" around the recent Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) said livestock entries of animals susceptible to the virus - particularly cattle, sheep and goats - will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue virus restricted zone is to be extended to cover the whole of England from 1 July before the annual show in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells in Powys, on 21-24 serotype 3 (BTV-3), mainly spread by midge bites, does not affect humans or risk food safety. RWAS said it was committed to working with and supporting exhibitors amid the outbreak and is working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Welsh government veterinary team."Our goal is to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place, in line with the most up-to-date guidance," the statement read."That said, we are taking steps to provide clarity based on current guidance, while being transparent that circumstances may evolve before the Royal Welsh Show in July."This policy has been introduced to safeguard the health of livestock exhibited at this year's Royal Welsh Show and to help reduce the risk of bluetongue spreading." The RWAS said:Entries will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue restricted who are required to travel through a restricted zone to attend the show will also not be permitted to an exhibitor enters the show but subsequently moves into a restricted zone, they will no longer be eligible to unaffected by bluetongue restrictions will remain subject to the society's general rules and RWAS said the policy could change according to any updates in government policy before the pre-movement testing exemptions apply in England, Scotland and Wales until 12 June when the Welsh government is due to announce an summer, the Royal Welsh Show celebrated 120 years since the annual agricultural show first began. What is bluetongue? Bluetongue does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safetyIn rare instances, however, dogs and other carnivores can contract it if they consume infected substances such as aborted material and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – but in most cases seen since September 2024 clinical signs have been mild and animals have is classed as a "notifiable" disease, meaning it is an offence not to report it to the of bluetongue in cattle include lethargy, crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle, and redness of the mouth, eyes and, sheep, signs include ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, and the swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck, as well as the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot).Other symptoms include red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface, fever, lameness, breathing problems, abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths. The disease can be fatal.
Powys County Times
14 hours ago
- General
- Powys County Times
English and Scottish exhibitors barred from Royal Welsh Show
English and Scottish livestock exhibitors will not be allowed to compete in this year's Royal Welsh Show due to the Bluetounge virus. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have said they have taken the taken the decision due to veterinary advice about the 'unique risks' of the show. The Bluetongue virus is a highly infectious disease spread amongst sheep and cattle by infected midges It is listed by the UK government as a notifiable disease and the last year has seen multiple outbreaks in England. This has culminated with a recent change being announced by DEFRA which will see 'the restricted zone for bluetongue extended to cover all of England' from July 1 – 'this means that from this date you will be able to move animals within England without a bluetongue licence or test'. As a result, the show which will be held on the week of July 21 had to asses the situation. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said: 'While supporting the unrestricted movement of animals is important to us, our primary focus has been on developing a showing policy for this year's Royal Welsh Show that protects our exhibitors and the integrity of the event. 'The Show presents unique risks – it is a large-scale gathering of susceptible animals sharing close airspace over five to six days, and it takes place during the peak vector season. This is distinctly different form one-day livestock markets or direct farm-to-farm movements. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app 'For this reason we have adopted a precautionary approach and will not be accepting livestock entries from any exhibitors based within an BTV Restriction Zone nor from those who need to travel through an RZ to reach the show. "This includes all entries from England and Scotland." The Society added that the decision 'relates to this year's Royal Welsh Show and the Show alone'. They added: 'This has not been an easy decision for us We have explored all available options including pre-movement testing and unrestricted entries. Each had its pros and cons, but ultimately, none provided the level of risk mitigation we require or proved practically workable.'
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Countdown to Royal Welsh Show begins after launch in Bangor
The countdown to this year's Royal Welsh Show has begun after its launch at Bangor University. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, in partnership with this year's Feature County, Caernarfon, officially launched the 2025 Royal Welsh Show at Bangor University. The event on Wednesday (June 4) was held in the historic Pritchard-Jones Hall and marked the formal countdown to the Show on Monday July 21 which will last the entire week. Approximately 200 invited guests—including board members, key sponsors, industry representatives, and supporters from across Wales—attended the launch. Nicola Davies, Chair of Council of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, opened proceedings by thanking guests, sponsors, and Bangor University for their warm hospitality. She highlighted the 'longstanding connections between the University and the agricultural community', noting its proud tradition of supporting rural education since 1884. Show Director Richard Price took to the stage to highlight this year's attractions, including the much-anticipated Heavy Horse Village, new competitive classes for heavy horses in the main ring, and the Supreme Horse Championship to be judged by Martin Clunes. The Ukrainian Cossacks will return with their thrilling trick-riding display, while celebrity judges such as Nigel Owens and Meinir Howells will feature in the sheep section. Mr Price also noted the extensive preparations underway at Llanelwedd to ensure the 2025 Show is 'an outstanding success'. In the University Quad, visitors were greeted by one of Ambassador Rhys Eifion Griffith's impressive shire horses, Trem Yr Wyddfa Aurora—a nod to the Heavy Horse Village set to debut at this year's Show. Vice-Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke extended a warm welcome on behalf of Bangor University, paying tribute to the farmers of Caernarfon who, 140 years ago, helped found the University. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app He spoke of the continued contribution made by students and graduates to the agricultural and agroforestry sectors in Wales. Society President John R Owen reflected on the year so far, thanking everyone who had contributed to and attended the county's many fundraising events. He also previewed the upcoming Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan Farm, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in its organisation. The evening featured the premiere of Y Gerdd Groeso, a commissioned poem celebrating Caernarfon's pride as Feature County, written and performed on video by renowned Welsh poet Myrddin ap Dafydd.
Business News Wales
28-05-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Nominations Open for 2025 Arwain DGC Vet & Farmer Awards
George Tomlinson Nominations are open for the 2025 Arwain DGC Vet & Farmer Awards – accolades that recognise positive action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock and the environment in Wales. The annual awards celebrate the achievements of livestock vets and livestock farmers in reducing the need to use antibiotics and taking steps to improve animal health. This year, there are three award categories: Livestock Vet, Livestock Farmer, and a new Livestock Veterinary Practice category. The closing date for nominations is June 30th, and the winners will be announced in July at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd. Arwain DGC is an award-winning Welsh Government-funded programme dedicated to preventing antibiotic resistance in animals and the environment. It supports farmers and vets through data-driven decisions, innovative technologies, and best practices. Dewi Hughes, Arwain DGC's programme manager, said: 'Our goal is to continue positioning Wales as a global leader in the fight against AMR, by nurturing collaboration, promoting innovation, and sharing knowledge, to ensure that antibiotics remain effective for animal and human health for future generations. 'However, this crucial work cannot be done without vets and farmers' ongoing support and commitment. Therefore, it is only right that their efforts and achievements are publicly recognised. So, I'd urge people to nominate individuals and veterinary practices playing their part to safeguard all our health and give them the recognition they deserve.' Dr Joe Angell Recipient of last year's Livestock Vet award, Dr Joe Angell of Wern Vets Cyf said: 'Arwain DGC as a project has greatly impacted reducing antimicrobial use in Wales and refining responsible use in the agricultural sector, and its impact has been felt beyond Wales. 'Part of the initiative is recognising those who have made a significant contribution to reducing antimicrobial use or improving the way antimicrobials are used in their specific field or area of work. 'For vets, it is recognised that actually improving responsible use and responsible prescribing is very much part of the responsibilities of all within the practice team, and it is really encouraging to see that at this year's awards, practice teams as a whole will be recognised. 'I'd urge anyone who knows of a particular individual, or veterinary practice, who has made an impact in their area of work, to nominate them to be considered for one of these awards, so that their work and its impact are recognised.' Livestock Farmer 2024 award-winner, Wrexham organic dairy farmer George Tomlinson said: 'Farmers and vets do a great job in working together to ensure the highest welfare for our animals. 'But we often don't think enough about our own health, and AMR is something that affects people and livestock. Awards like this are a great way to give people the recognition that they're doing a good job for everyone.' To nominate a vet, veterinary practice or livestock farmer, please visit here.
