Great Yorkshire Show: Probe into cattle tampering as dairy exhibitor disqualified

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society confirmed that the dairy animal in question had been disqualified with immediate effect.

It is only the second show in the event’s long and distinguished history that has been marred by suspected cases of tampering after routine scans by the show’s veterinary team.

Nigel Pulling, the Society’s chief executive, read a statement to members of the press this afternoon in which he confirmed what had happened.

Mr Pulling said: “We can confirm that a dairy animal has been disqualified after an incident of tampering which breached the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Great Yorkshire Show regulations.

“We take any allegation of tampering very seriously as the welfare of animals is paramount.

“The animal was disqualified with immediate effect and any other animals entered by the competitor are also unable to compete at this show or at the Great Yorkshire Show for a further three years.

“The competitor does have a right to appeal the decision.”

The Yorkshire Post understands that the animal in question was a Holstein and that the nature of the tampering involved the use of a substance on the cow’s udders which contravene show rules.

Mr Pulling said the breach had been detected on Tuesday, on the first day of the show, and that the animal had not been exhibited on day two, today.

The Society chief said the show would always take a firm stance on any cases of dishonest practices employed by exhibitors in order to gain a competitive advantage in the show rings.

“We don’t want it here,” Mr Pulling said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure everyone has a level playing field.

“We have done a lot of work to get dairy numbers up and we have succeeded so this is not good. The regulations are very clear, no substances on animals teats are allowed.”

Anyone found guilty of animal tampering by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has 28 days to appeal against their disqualification. No appeal had been lodged by this afternoon.

Mr Pulling added: “It’s not a good day for the industry.

“We are determined to have a free and fair competition.”

The only other occasion when tampering allegation arose at the show was in 2013 when two suspected cases involving two dairy animals were discovered.

Nine months later, in April 2014, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said its investigations into those allegations had concluded.

The exhibitors concerned withdrew their appeals and the Society said that it had been mutually agreed that they would not exhibit at any future Great Yorkshire Shows.