Livestock 2012 – No room for tampering, says RABDF chief

By Simon Wragg

‘No room tampering’ was the clear message from RABDF chief executive and event organiser Nick Everington at Livestock 2012 amid speculation some show cattle exhibitors had stayed away from the event after the furore over alleged use of teat glues on the dairy show circuit.

Ask if he was concerned over the absence of some exhibitors he replied emphatically: “No. I’m not worried about that as I want a level playing field (for every exhibitor).”

RABDF had worked with Holstein UK to achieve a rule change forbidding use of teat glue – used to ensure an udder remained full of milk during showing – and had laid on extra veterinary observers to monitor preparation of cattle ahead of the show-ring. Random scanning of udders was also being carried out by the event’s on-site vet as a check.

Details of exhibitor entries and actual cattle forwarded for the show would be available shortly, he said.

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