THE north’s biggest agricultural event, the Balmoral Show, originally postponed from its traditional May date, has been cancelled altogether.
The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) said it was announcing the decision around the 2020 show, which had been set to take place in August, with “deep regret” and emphasised it had not taken the decision lightly.
“After several meetings and the exploration of all alternative options, it became clear that we would have been unable to run the 2020 show on the rearranged August dates during these unprecedented times,” RUAS chief executive Dr Alan Crowe said.
“We understand that this news will be disappointing to many, but as the global Covid-19 pandemic endures, we believe that as a society, we have an obligation to protect the health and wellbeing of all our staff, members, competitors, visitors, volunteers, trade exhibitors, sponsors, contractors and suppliers.
“As Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event with over 120,000 visitors each year, we are aware of the time, money and hard work put into attending the show by livestock exhibitors, competitors, sponsors, trade stands and suppliers.
“With many local farmers, businesses and visitors facing financial uncertainty at present, we feel that everything is stacked against us in trying to run a show in August.”
Those who bought tickets will receive a full refund, the organisers added.
