RIBBLEHEAD Sheep Show has been cancelled this year due to uncertainty over regulations after foot and mouth.

Food and farming minister Lord Whitty's announcement last Thursday that sheep and goats could go to shows from the middle of May, providing there was no re-emergence of foot and mouth during lambing, came too late for Ribblehead, but other biosecurity rules would also have caused huge problems.

Ribblehead Sheep Show takes place on the common near the famous viaduct. Grass on which shows take place must not be grazed for 28 days before and after the event, so this rule would have possibly meant the show moving venue.

Show secretary Angela Booth said the decision had been made in the light of uncertainty over regulations for shows.

"We just didn't know what was going to happen. We decided not to bother this year and leave it until next year," said Mrs Booth.

This year would have been Ribblehead Sheep Show's 14th event. Founded in 1988 it's aim was to fill the gap following the demise of the Ribblehead Sheep Sales which had been held twice yearly from 1931 to 1981.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Show also recently announced it was not going ahead due to the 28 day rule and other restrictions.

Both Ribblehead and Horton Shows have indoor sections, but the main action is outside in the sheep classes.

Lord Whitty announced the concession to show sheep last week when he revealed further details of the licensing regime for agricultural shows this summer.

Previously the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had said only cattle could be shown under strict biosecurity regulations.

Lord Whitty said sheep and goats could only be shown from the middle of May, given that foot and mouth does not return. Cattle and pigs can be exhibited from the start of the show season.

Each show will have to appoint a biosecurity officer to ensure that licence conditions are followed. The 28 day showfield rule ensures that any foot and mouth virus on the land will decay to a level which is unlikely to cause other susceptible animals to be infected.

Show animals must have been on their premises of origin for the 20 days before their first move to a show. However, a movement on to the farm that triggers the "20 day standstill" will not prevent movements to shows, provided the show animals have been kept in DEFRA approved isolation facilities for the 20 days prior to their first move to a show.

After their first show move, the animals can move from show to show without triggering a 20 days standstill providing stock are individually identified.