ASSOCIATION OF SHOW AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN
Tel: 0411 205 833 Fax: 01749 823169 e-mail: paul.hooper@bathandwest.co.uk

Secretary: Paul J Hooper JP

I write on behalf of the Council of the Association of Show & Agricultural Organisations, a charity formed in 1923 with the aim of supporting and promoting agricultural shows throughout the UK and Eire. The Association currently has just over 200 members and at a recent Association Council meeting consideration was given to the response from Council for consideration by the Burns inquiry.

There is an undoubted theme between all agricultural shows to promote the countryside and the link between the rural and urban populations. This is evident from the many different sections and features which form part of the agricultural shows and fairs throughout the country. An integral part of shows are horses, horse breeding, horse showing including jumping, both show jumping and working hunter, farrier work and the many country pursuits such as hedging, conservation and forestry which are all part of the countryside and its way of life as depicted to the urban dweller.

In main rings and other countryside arenas, there is also the presence of hounds and hunt staff, again a very integral part of the countryside’s way of life. A restriction on one part of rural activities, ie hunting, would have a knock on effect upon horse classes, both breeding and jumping, farrier classes and indeed many other aspects of agricultural shows including the stewarding of such events which is also part of the fabric of the countryside.

One of the major roles of agricultural shows is of course to enhance the educational aspects of as many visitors as possible, and through displays undertaken by hunt staff and their supporters, it is the belief of Council that the removal of hunting from the countryside would reduce one of the major links of the rural and urban populations. Council believes the control and governance of the countryside is portrayed well to the urban population through shows and such events and the removal of this one activity would have a wide-ranging effect upon the show and its content, as well as damaging the link between the countryside and the town.