Coronavirus: NFU London rally postponed but 'business as usual' for now for Pig & Poultry Fair
10th Mar 2020 / By Alistair Driver
The NFU has postponed its London rally, scheduled for later this month, while the organisers of the British Pig & Poultry Fair have issued a 'business as usual' message, amid concerns over coronavirus.
The NFU said it had taken the decision to postpone the rally, scheduled for March 25 now 'because of the continued uncertainty regarding the spread of the virus together with the size and nature of this particular event'. It intends to set another date for the rally within the next six months.
Hundreds of farmers from across the country were due to head to Westminster for the mass rally to persuade the Government to take firm action on post-Brexit food standards.
NFU president Minette Batters said: "While necessary, this is of course disappointing news. However, farmers and the public can rest assured that our campaign to ensure that our standards of production are not undermined continues apace."
Business as usual for Pig & Poultry Fair
Meanwhile, the organisers of the British Pig & Poultry Fair have stressed that it is 'business as usual' for now amid fears the event might not be able to go ahead in May.
The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and Grandstand Stoneleigh Events said they are committed to delivering the event on May 12 and 13, at Stoneleigh Park, and the Grassland & Muck Event, which takes place the following week on the Ragley Estate, near Alcester, also in Warwickshire.
But they stress they are monitoring the situation and will continue to be guided by advice from Government.
In a message to exhibitors they say: "The current spread of COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019 has led us as exhibition organisers to focus on doing all we can to ensure the events go ahead safely and deliver their full value to visitors and exhibitors alike.
"The health, safety and wellbeing of our exhibitors and visitors is our number one priority and we are following all the current advice from the Chief Medical Officer and other authorities that events, and especially outdoor events are safe to attend.
"It is therefore very much business as usual and we are planning for the British Pig & Poultry Fair and Grassland & Muck event to go ahead as normal on May 12 and 13 and May 20 and 21 respectively.
"We will be monitoring the situation and will inform exhibitors and visitors should the situation change. We continue to follow advice from the UK Government, World Health Organisation and Public Health England."
"We look forward to welcoming you to the events in May."