Newry Show Society has taken the decision not to make bluetongue vaccination a mandatory requirement for cattle and sheep entering its upcoming 2026 event.
This is in contrast with Balmoral Show, where vaccination has been made a key condition of entry.
Newry Show Society chair, Brian Lockhart explained: “We contacted the Department of Agriculture on the bluetongue issue, whose veterinary staff indicated that bluetongue vaccination would not be made a requirement for one-day events.
“This would include Newry and the other local agricultural shows, held throughout the summer months.
“Balmoral Show in contrast requires animal to be kept on site for a number of days.”
There are strong indications that all of the local shows held in Northern Ireland over the coming weeks will follow Newry Show’s lead on the issue of bluetongue vaccination.
Meanwhile, Newry Show 2026 will take place on Saturday, June 27 on lands at 12 to 18 Derrywilliagan Road, Bessbrook.
The event was first held in 1869 and has been providing an annual agricultural show ever since. It is traditionally held on the last Saturday of June.
Lockhart said: “The records show that we will be celebrating our 156th show this year.
“The site is currently in tremendous condition given the recent spell of dry weather and all the roads in the vicinity of the location have been recently repaired.”
Meanwhile, sponsorship is a key source of funding for all the local agricultural shows held across the island of Ireland on an annual basis.
“I would like to commend Newry Mourne and Down District Council in regard to the tremendous support it will be delivering for our upcoming event,” Lockhart confirmed.
However, the Newry Show representative also noted the lack of core support made available by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for any of the local shows held in Northern Ireland.
He added: “A strong case has been made repeatedly by the Northern Ireland Shows Association to agriculture minister, Andrew Muir, where this matter is concerned.
“All these events represent a tremendous shop window for farming and food in Northern Ireland.
“This issue has been fully verified by an independent report commissioned by the shows association.
“But, as yet, the minister and his department colleagues have not agreed to make available any level of core support for the local farming shows that are held throughout the summer months.”
According to Lockhart, Newry Show 2026 is shaping up to be a “tremendous success”.
“We already know that sheep entries have exceeded all previous records.
“We are also looking forward to a tremendous entry of young handlers.
“It is very encouraging that so many young people want to show cattle and sheep at events like Newry Show,” Lockhart said.