Insurance problems could force many of Ireland’s agricultural shows out of existence
Irish Shows Association chairman Paddy Joe Foy issued the warning at the Powers Gold Label National Livestock Show, which attracted an estimated 40,000 people to Tullamore last Sunday.
Mr Foy said it would be a sad day if fine shows like the one in Tullamore and many smaller shows around the country had to stop because of insurance problems.
“At the moment we are dogged with bogus claims,” he said, stressing that the warning shots were out and that the issue would have to be addressed.
Mr Foy said sooner rather than later a ceiling would have to be put on those claims.
“We have seen it in industry where people have had to let their workers go because of insurance. It is something that will have to be tackled very soon,” he said.
Mr Foy said the area of cattle and sheep end of showing must also be streamlined and made that little bit easier for people taking out animals to a show.
People were only taking the animals out to exhibit them at what were showpieces for farm produce. It would be a pity to have too many infringements on the showing of cattle and sheep.
“That is something that will also have to be addressed so that it is made as simple as possible,” he said.
Mr Foy said some shows had to be cancelled in recent weeks because of the wet weather but hopefully they would be re-scheduled and held later in the year.
Tullamore Show PRO Christy Maye, outlining the scale of the event, said overall entries of 7,500, including 1,300 cattle and 1,100 horses, were up 6.8% on two years ago - there was no show last year because of foot and mouth precautions.
Diplomats from the British and French embassies attended the event, which cost 350,000 to stage and is now regarded as the country’s premier livestock show with 850 classes and a 120,000 prize fund.
Politicians including Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, Minister of State Tom Parlon and Deputy Olwyn Enright also attended the event, which Matt Dempsey, editor, Irish Farmers Journal, officially opened in the 200 acre site on the Charleville Estate, one mile outside the town.
Show Chairperson John Cleary said the need was never so great to provide a shop window for all the endeavours of the farming community and to show solidarity and support in these testing times.
