by Viv Twornicki

THE latest casualties of the mounting foot and mouth crisis are some of the county's biggest events, planned for the summer.

The Royal Cornwall Show this week decided to reschedule from June 7,8,9 and will instead go ahead on September 13 - 15. But the news looks even bleaker for the Liskeard and Launceston Agricultural Shows, which may not be held at all this year.

Christopher Riddle, Royal Cornwall secretary, said their unanimous decision was taken not only to safeguard the interests of the show, but also in recognition of the crisis the disease has caused in the agricultural industry. 'The officers felt the association was in a position of responsibility and should demonstrate leadership in this crisis' he said.

The organising committee of South East Cornwall's only agricultural show, held at Liskeard, were meeting last night to make their decision on whether or not it could go ahead as planned, on July 14.

Secretary Mrs Alison Melhuish, said however, that committee members were already of the opinion that it would be wiser to cancel.

'It would not be possible to have a show without cattle and sheep' she said, 'and we have the extra concern that the showground is on a farm'.

Mrs Melhuish confirmed that this year is scheduled to be the 99th show.

At Launceston, where the show traditionally follows on from Liskeard on the following Thursday, secretary Peter Stevenson said their date of July 19 was also in jeopardy.

Decision

'Our committee will make a final decision on May 1' he said, 'but there is already a general concensus that we cancel this year. However, Mr Stevenson said that some organisation had been done in the autumn, and if the position changed in May with restrictions lifted, although unlikely, it was still possible to put some sort of event together.

Another big event in the balance is the hugely popular Boconnoc Steam Fair, scheduled for July 21-22. Secretary Roger Matthews of Liskeard said a special foot and mouth meeting was held on Wednesday night when members decided it would be best to 'wait and see'.

'We are working with the estate management and tenant farmers' he said, 'and everything will depend on restrictions and whether or not they are lifted'. Mr Matthews said there was big concern for the estate's herd of deer, and that ultimately the final decision would be guided by the committee's consciences.