Shows circle wagons against equine flu

TWO more agricultural shows in North Wales have banned unvaccinated horses to halt the spread of equine flu.

It follows confirmation of the first cases in Denbighshire this year and Anglesey Show’s decision to cancel its horse section altogether.

Both Merioneth and Llanfyllin Shows have followed the lead set by the Royal Welsh Show and insisted on vaccination.

In the case of Merioneth Show, in Harlech on August 28, exhibitors still have enough time to initiate the vaccination process, which requires at least 28 days for showing.

However it is now too late for exhibitors to get their horses jabbed for Llanfyllin Show, which celebrates its 150th anniversary on August 10.

Show chairman Dyfrig Jones said: “It’s disappointing news for owners and the show committee but we must put the welfare of horses first. We will be checking the passports of all horses that are entered to ensure they have been vaccinated.”

Denbigh & Flint Show, on August 15, is also insisting on mandatory vaccination.

However in a statement to exhibitors, Anglesey Show, on August 13-14, said it had, with regret, decided cancel its horse competitions. All horse entries and stabling costs will be fully refunded “in due course”.

“The show will go on, with all other sections carrying on as usual,” said the statement. “We will work on arranging an exciting line up of main ring attractions. And please be assured, horses will be back next year, bigger and better!”

AS of last Wednesday morning the Animal Health Trust had recorded 205 outbreaks of equine flu in the UK this year.

One of the most recent cases was in the Vale of Glamorgan, bringing the Wales total to 29.

Earlier this month, Denbighshire suffered its first outbreak: two cases were identified at a premises where other horses had attended an equine event linked to multiple outbreaks.

Vets say there are more than 100 horses at the yard showing varying clinical signs of the virus.

■