The National Ploughing Association (NPA) have announced the cancellation of trade exhibitions at the 2020 National Ploughing Championship due to COVID-19
However, the association still hope that the ploughing competition will be able to continue behind closed doors.
The ploughing championships are due to take place from 15th-17th of September in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow.
Health and safety
The NPA managing director, Anna May McHugh, said that “the executive reached this very difficult decision to cancel the Trade Exhibition as public health and safety is our foremost priority given the current global pandemic”.
“With visitor attendance last year of 297,000 and up to 1,700 exhibitors, we had too many concerns about how we could implement social distancing and the potential risk of bringing together people from all over the country.”
McHugh continued to say that they will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the ploughing competition. They hope to run the competition behind closed doors should the COVID-19 situation allow.
2021
The NPA stated that they are looking at the positives and have started planning for 2021, which will mark their 90th year and Ireland will be hosting the World Ploughing Contest in tandem with the national event from the 15th-18th of September. The venue for next year is still to be confirmed.
