Defra minister to open the Dairy Event and Livestock Show

Defra minister, Jim Fitzpatrick will officially open the Dairy Event and Livestock Show on Wednesday 16 September, the first day of the two day event to be staged at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry by its organisers, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

After his official duties, Mr Fitzpatrick will go on to tour the show ground, meet with farmers and some of the 450 trade exhibitors, before moving down to the cattle lines where 240 stalls for six different breeds have been completely booked out.

The Dairy Event and Livestock Show will also be welcoming delegations of international guests from as far a field as China and Romania, among the 13,000 visitors. "The event offers a major opportunity for our exhibitors to showcase the UK’s highly advanced and technological industry, and our range of exhibitions covering all aspects of ruminant production, beef, sheep, commercial goats and native breeds, as well as dairy, enhances its appeal to all visitors," comments RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington. "The last event attracted more than 300 overseas visitors from over 30 different countries, and our survey revealed that 53% of exhibitors reported enquiries from international contacts."

Pat Tomlinson, Head of Agriculture for HSBC, the event’s principal sponsor adds: "I am delighted the new minister will be attending this year’s Dairy Event and Livestock Show – there could be no better or more focussed opportunity to help him make sure he has a full understanding of the key issues within the UK dairy and livestock sectors."