SHOW NEWS

DIRECTORS FROM THE Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Royal Highland Show (RHS).

With four months until what would have been the 180th Show, RHASS Directors were presented with scenarios based on Covid-19 restrictions likely to still be in place by June.

These included modelling based on reduced capacities, factoring in the likely social distancing measures, vaccination status and the potential impact of new Covid-19 variants. Directors were also briefed on discussions which have taken place with senior Scottish Government officials in which concerns were raised around the likelihood of any large scale events taking place in 2021.

Weighing up the information presented, RHASS Directors felt there was no option but to shelve plans for a traditional 2021 Royal Highland Show and instead consider options for what’s possible within the current climate.

In preparation, the planning team had scoped out an outline of a ‘Royal Highland Show live’ concept, which is effectively a hybrid show with judging, show jumping and competitions taking place at the showground behind closed doors.

Directors heard that this format would give exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their livestock from Ingliston showground to a global audience through state-of-the-art livestreaming in collaboration with Scottish media partners. RHASS members would be given VIP access to the livestreaming for free as part of their member benefits.

Along with livestock and equestrian, it is proposed that key elements of the show would feature including Young Handlers, Technical Innovation, Cookery and Handcrafts, together with farriery, forestry and sheep shearing.

This was widely welcomed by Directors and the planning team were tasked to build on this concept further, with a view to presenting comprehensive proposals to the RHASS Board following wider consultation with exhibitors, sponsors and industry stakeholders.

Commenting on the decision, RHASS Chairman Bill Gray said: “We had hoped beyond hope, particularly with the direction of travel before Christmas, that the vaccination rollout would enable the Show as we know it to go ahead. "However we've now been left with no other choice but to seek an alternative to the staging of the traditional Royal Highland Show.

“While deeply disappointing, what is possible is genuinely innovative and exciting and we are confident that with the power of the latest streaming technology and the finest elements of the show, we can create something truly special.”

Keith Christian, BAGMA Director, said: "We are very disappointed for the organisers and visitors that this prestigious event cannot go ahead this year. BAGMA will fully support the RHS in whatever they decide to do to promote this show in Scotland in the future.”

TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY safety was the topic of the latest quarterly meeting of the Farm Safety Partnership (FSP).

The FSP consists of organisations representing a broad spectrum of agricultural interests, including the large farming membership organisations; auctioneers; training providers; farming press; and machinery dealers.

The partnership continues to work hard to improve safety and to reduce fatalities on farms and allied industries.

Focusing on transport and machinery safety, the FSP issued the following guidelines – as relevant around dealerships as they are on the farm. ● Wear a seat belt. ● Even on short journeys around the yard. ● Drive legal and safe every time. ● Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before taking it out. ● Check that brake lights work. ● Make sure you can see out of mirrors and windows. ● Check for drawbar ring wear and that trailers are hitched up securely. ● Ensure that loads are secure. ● Make your yard a safe yard. ● Put in traffic routes. ● Segregate vehicles and pedestrians. ● Have adequate lighting, signage, speed limits and mirrors in the yard. ● Avoid reversing- have one-way systems. ● Beware of overhead cables – make sure visitors know where they are. ● How many dealers can say they have put in traffic plans with separate vehicle and pedestrian routes?

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