**Royal Welsh Show Draws Thousands but Faces Challenges from Bluetongue Virus Restrictions**
The prestigious Royal Welsh Show is poised to welcome enormous crowds as it opens its gates at the Llanelwedd showground in Builth Wells this week. For four days, from Monday, 21 July, through to Thursday, 24 July, the iconic agricultural showcase will bring together not only farmers and rural enthusiasts, but also families and visitors from every corner of the country.
A much-anticipated highlight of Wales’ agricultural calendar, the Royal Welsh Show is renowned for its impressive scale and diversity. Attendees each year are treated to a varied schedule packed with livestock and equine competitions, alongside a lively array of attractions such as forestry demonstrations, horticultural displays, country crafts, shopping opportunities, and a celebrated food and drink market. The competitions encompass everything from ironwork and honey-tasting to the more physical contests of tug-of-war, pole climbing, and tree felling — all contributing to the vibrant atmosphere that defines the event.
However, the 2025 edition of the show will be notably shaped by fresh restrictions linked to the outbreak of Bluetongue virus. The Welsh Government has implemented the new measures in response to ongoing concerns around the viral disease, which is transmitted by biting midges and can affect livestock like sheep, cattle, goats, deer, llamas, and alpacas. While Bluetongue poses no threat to human health or food safety, it has become a serious concern for animal health authorities, with recent cases reported in both England and Wales.
In line with public health advice, show organisers have announced a comprehensive ban on the presence of livestock from England, as well as any animals that have travelled through restricted zones. This ruling effectively bars not only English livestock, but also those from Scotland whose journey would take them through affected areas. As a result, analysts forecast a significant drop — as much as 40% fewer cattle — in the show’s competitive classes this year.
Beyond the impact on agricultural competitions, the new rules are casting a shadow over the event’s wider economic and social benefits. The Royal Welsh Show is traditionally a linchpin for the Welsh rural economy, generating an estimated £10 million in direct visitor spending over its four-day run. A further £3 million in economic activity is typically recorded as a downstream effect, benefitting regional suppliers and related services. For many, it is the most important trade and networking platform of the year.
Even with these constraints, the show’s appeal endures. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend, reinforcing the event’s continuing status as one of the UK’s largest and most important rural gatherings. The opening ceremony will be led by broadcaster and journalist Dei Tomos, with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal also scheduled to make a special appearance on Monday. Attending in her role as President of The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC), The Princess Royal will contribute to the RASC’s Annual General Meeting, and is also expected to engage with exhibitors and local farming representatives during her seventh visit to the showground.
This combination of traditional pageantry, royal patronage, and community spirit is emblematic of the Royal Welsh Show’s unique identity. Despite the unavoidable challenges presented by the Bluetongue virus, organisers are committed to showcasing the resilience and innovation of Welsh farming and rural life. Rigorous biosecurity measures have been implemented across the site to protect animals and reassure the public.
In this changing landscape for British agriculture, the Royal Welsh Show offers a timely lens onto both the enduring significance and the evolving challenges of farming in Wales. With public health concerns at the forefront and economic stakes high, all eyes will be on Builth Wells to see how the community responds — and what new stories emerge from this year’s show. As ever, the event looks set to blend competition, commerce, learning, and celebration into four memorable days in the heart of rural Wales.