The pigeon and poultry sections at this weekend's Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair have been cancelled following a directive which has just been received from DEFRA.

Countryside Live, which takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, was due to host pigeon classes on Saturday and poultry classes on Sunday. Since the concerns regarding avian flu, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the event, has been in contact with DEFRA and has now received the directive which states that on a risk basis, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Office has decided not to allow the two sections to go ahead. The EU has implemented an immediate ban on all shows, markets, fairs and sales involving collections of birds across the EU.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: "We are of course disappointed that these two important elements of Countryside Live cannot go ahead, but clearly the safety of people and the birds must come first so we have no hesitation in complying. Our exhibitors come from all over the country so we are writing to everyone today to ensure they are aware of the situation, and we will be refunding their entry fees. Looking ahead, we look forward to welcoming them back in 2006."

He added: "Whilst these are important sections, the rest of the show remains intact with the livestock classes for cattle and sheep, cookery theatre, dozens of trade stands, and a wide range of entertainment. In the building which we would have used for the cancelled sections we plan to stage an exhibition of sculpture and photography, as well as a games area for younger children."

This would have been the first year of the Pigeon classes, which had attracted some 506 entries across 92 classes. Classes ranged from tumblers to homers to fantails to racers.

The Poultry section was launched at the 2004 event and is entitled The Countryside Live Yorkshire Poultry Club Championship Show. A total of 1,078 entries had been received across a wide range of classes.

Last year some 7,000 visitors attended Countryside Live which is regarded as the "little sister" of the annual summer showcase The Great Yorkshire Show, and to date ticket sales have outstripped previous years. The event was launched in 2003.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £7 for Adults and £6 for concessions, There is free admission for children. The show opens at 9.30am each day and closes at 5pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. Car parking is free and extensive.

For further information please check out the website www.countrysidelive.co.uk or call on 01423 541000.

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