Disease claims Black Isle show

The Black Isle show has been cancelled

Another Scottish agricultural event has fallen victim to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The Black Isle Show, which usually attracts more than 30,000 people, has been cancelled amid fears that it may contribute to the spread of infection.

Event secretary Lynne Forbes said she was aware the cancellation would have a huge economic impact on the local area but felt it was inevitable in the current circumstances.

The show joins other major events like the Royal Highland Show which have been cancelled due to foot-and-mouth.

The Royal Highland Show was also cancelled

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme Ms Forbes said the decision was taken after a "lively discussion".

She said the show's cancellation would have a "financial impact" on the traders that come from "far and wide" to exhibit their animals and purchase new stock.

"But we did feel that cancelling the show was right for agriculture in the long term," she said.

Ms Forbes added: "We do recognise that for the area it probably is the main event of the year.

"We're talking about hotels, we're talking about petrol stations, shops, all in fact feeling the impact of our decision."

Main focus

But she said steps were being taken to try and reduce the adverse affect on the area's economy.

"We'll be talking to our local enterprise company," she said

"We spoke to them before we took this decision. But we had to take this decision. Our main focus is agriculture.

"We'll clearly be working with others to try and reduce the impact on the area."