Royal Welsh Show receives £200,000 support package

“This funding will help support the RWAS resilience at this difficult time for the sector.”

Half of the £200,000 funding package will come from the major events budget.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, who has responsibility for major events, said it was important to support major events so they were still there after coronavirus.

Crucial

“We understand how crucial these shows are to the sector, not only helping them showcase Welsh produce but also building relationships with others from the agricultural industry, and we hope this funding provides the necessary support for them to plan for next year.”

An independent resilience review of Welsh agricultural shows, commissioned by the Minister over the summer and carried out by Nuffield Scholar Aled Jones, made a series of recommendations which the minister has accepted.

The Minister announced a new innovation fund to help show societies reinstate shows in 2021.

It will also provide an opportunity to consider efficiencies to improve engagement and provide a better experience for all competitors.

Other recommendations in the independent review included the need for Welsh Government to produce guidance for show organisers over the arrangements for staging events in 2021 in line with any public health restrictions.

Encouraging greater collaboration between shows through the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) and well as introducing structured training for individuals working or volunteering within the show societies were also recommended.

The Minister also announced over 81 per cent of BPS 2020 claims have been processed for payment on the opening day of the payment window.

The BPS Support Scheme application window closed on November 27.

Payments will be made from December 7 to those eligible farm businesses whose BPS 2020 claim has not been processed for payment.