Staffordshire chairman hopeful show will bounce back

Staffordshire NFU county chairman Michael Madders has said he hopes the latest show to fall foul of blue tongue restrictions will bounce back in the future.

The 2008 National Holstein Show, due to take place in April, has been cancelled because the Staffordshire County Showground falls within the blue tongue Surveillance Zone.

Under the country's regulations - which were imposed after the blue tongue virus was found in cattle in October - only breeders residing within the zone could compete in the competition.

Organisers felt this would have had a negative effect on the event.

Today Mr Madders said: "It is a real shame that this show has had to be cancelled as it is a prestigious event and is a premier shop window for the industry.

"It is unfortunate it can't go ahead but we just hope that in the future events like this which have been affected by the blue tongue restrictions re-establish themselves.

"Shows like this one are also important as they help to bring the farming community together and are also big days in the social calendar."