Wednesday, 04 March 2020 10:06

Coronavirus cuts short massive agricultural show 

Written by  Staff Reporters
The cancellation follows France’s ban on gatherings of more than 5,000 people. Image: Salon International de l'Agriculture. The cancellation follows France’s ban on gatherings of more than 5,000 people. Image: Salon International de l'Agriculture.

The last day of an agricultural show which saw more than half a million visitors had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

Salon International de l'Agriculture's (International Agricultural Show) final day on Sunday, March 1 was dropped due to fears of the virus.

The cancellation follows French health minister’s Olivier Véran announcement on Saturday that all gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined spaces are banned across the country.

The ban extends for events in open environments where people may mix with others from areas where the virus is circulating. 

Organisers announced on the event’s website, “Following the decision of the government and health authorities, any gathering of more than 5000 people is forbidden.

“The International Agricultural Show will end on Saturday 29th February at 7pm and will not open tomorrow, following the recommendations and decisions of the public authorities.”

This year’s theme at the International Agricultural Show, originally scheduled to run from 22 February to March 1, was “agriculture welcomes you with open arms”. 

The event took place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and hosted more than a thousand exhibitors. 

As of today, France has seen 201 cases of Covid-19 and four deaths. 

More like this

Fiancé finalists to square off

Steph Le Brocq and Sam Allen, a bride and groom-to-be, are among those set to face off in regional finals across New Zealand in the hopes of being named the Young Farmer of the Year.

Scaled-back show meets targets

Organisers of the Christchurch A&P show say they are happy with this year’s event despite a rushed turnaround that left agricultural industry support thin on the ground.

Red meat sector battles on

It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

Featured

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.

National

Sweet or sour deal?

Not all stakeholders involved in the proposed merger of honey industry groups - ApiNZ and Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association…

Machinery & Products

Loosening soil without fuss

Distributed in New Zealand by Carrfields, Grange Farm Machinery is based in the Holderness region of East Yorkshire – an…

JCB unveils new models

The first of the UK’s agricultural trade shows was recently held at the NEC Centre in Birmingham.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers…

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter