The National Ploughing Championships at Ballacolla, Co Laois, from October 2nd to 4th, will be "an important stepping stone on the road back to normality for Irish farming", according to the National Ploughing Association.
Announcing details of the event, which will be attended by more than 100,000 people, the chairman of the association, Mr Tom Fahey, said that farmers were looking forward to being able to attend the championships in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth restrictions.
While there was still good reason to watch out for any signs of foot-and-mouth disease, it appeared that vigilance had paid off and that the threat was receding, Mr Fahey said.
He gave an undertaking that the National Ploughing Association would remain in close contact with the expert group which was advising the Minister for Agriculture and Food on foot-and-mouth. All reasonable precautions would be taken throughout the event.
The Minister, Mr Walsh, who attended yesterday's press briefing, said he was happy to be able to allow the event to go ahead when so many other shows had been cancelled because of foot-and-mouth.
Mr Walsh, who sent a letter on Thursday to every farmer in the State, asking them to re-examine and update disinfectant facilities on their farms, said that the threat of infection was still very real. He added: "It is necessary to remain on guard, especially in view of the ongoing situation in Britain. We must not forget that it has not gone away yet and we must do everything to prevent it getting in here."
This year's championships, on the farms of Robin Talbot and David and Heather Lalor, will feature 19 ploughing events involving more than 300 competitors. Millions of pounds worth of machinery will be on show and there will be seven large marquees displaying consumer goods ranging from food to fashion and crafts.
The 2002 championships will be held at Ballinabrackey, Co Meath, on the farms of Peter and Mark Moore and their neighbour, George Cave.