THE BRITISH PIG & POULTRY FAIR has been cancelled because of the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

Organisers confirmed last night (16 March) that both the fair and Grassland and Muck would not take place in 2020.

It is in line with new government advice that mass gatherings should not take place, despite the risk of transmitting the disease at such events being “relatively low”.

The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), which organises both events, said its trustees had met on to make the decision.

‘Unprecedented circumstances’

A spokesperson for RASE said: “While we are sorry to have to make this announcement to cancel, it is the right decision to protect the health of the industry and indeed the wider population in these unprecedented circumstances.”

They added that exhibitors would be contacted “in due course” about future plans for the events.