It is with ’deep regret’ that after careful consideration, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is today announcing the cancellation of May’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival and the postponement of Clwyd’s Feature County Year and the Royal Welsh Show until 2022.

In a statement issued today, a spokesman said, "Our team continues to work in partnership with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to ensure the event sector has a strong voice, however current restrictions, as set out in the ‘Coronavirus Control Plan’ and the various Alert Levels mean that it is impossible to hold large events this summer.

"Any restrictions on numbers and the associated two metre social distancing rules are major barriers to the viability of events, such as the Royal Welsh Show. That said our staff, trustees and the whole Society are committed to ensuring the showground is event ready when rules allow.

Despite the postponement of the Royal Welsh Show, the Society is committed to exploring every opportunity to host smaller COVID compliant events during the summer and it is our ambition to host a bumper Winter Fair, before returning to a new normality in 2022. Further announcements will be made later in the Spring, when a better understanding of the pandemic and restrictions is available.

Chief Executive Steve Hughson said, “We continue to work alongside the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to create a Road Map for the safe re-opening of events. Our events are central to the rural economy and way of life and mean so much to members, exhibitors, traders and visitors and we fully understand the responsibility on all of us to ensure we deliver our events as soon as it is safe to do so. Despite these challenges the Society has stepped forward to support our local community by providing free facilities for a COVID Testing Centre and a mass vaccination centre”.

Chairman of the Board John T Davies said: "It is with the regret that the decision has been made to cancel this year’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival and to postpone the Royal Welsh Show.

"We will explore the possibilities of smaller, alternative events this summer and with the Board of Directors will continue to focus on protecting our Society for the next generation. We greatly appreciate the support of our members and other stakeholders. The continued support of all associated with the Society has never been more important.”Commenting on the cancelation of the 2021 Royal Welsh Show Welsh Liberal Democrat Agriculture spokesperson William Powell said:“This will come as a grievous blow to many in the farming community across Wales.“The Royal Welsh Show is an opportunity to showcase the best of Welsh farming to the world. Many businesses rely on the show for a significant part of their income and to lose this two years in a row will add yet more pressure to those who are already struggling.“The Welsh Government must step up to the plate and ensure that firms who are already struggling due to Covid are appropriately helped following today’s news.”