Royal Highland Show continues to champion excellence in food, farming, and rural life
3rd April 2023
The Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) stands firm in its commitment that the Royal Highland Show (RHS) will continue to showcase the best in Scottish agriculture, despite a call by PETA for the award-winning four-day event to become exclusively vegan.
Supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the show is Scotland’s biggest outdoor event attracting around 200,000 people each year and contributing £39.5m to the country’s economy. Regarded as one of Europe’s best agribusiness shows, the RHS is key in connecting producers and consumers of Scottish agriculture.
Now in its 201st year, the show was first held in 1822 on a site that is now home to the Scottish Parliament. With a strong focus on innovation and achieving the industry’s sustainable targets, the event is a platform for Scotland’s agriculture in its widest sense, including fruit and vegetables, oils, meat, and dairy produce such as ice cream and cheese.
Commenting on the letter from the animal rights organisation PETA, RHASS chief executive officer Alan Laidlaw said:
“We disagree with PETA’s misrepresentation of the Royal Highland Show including labelling sheep shearing as ‘cruel’ – this reflects a lack of understanding of what is required for good animal health, wellbeing and the importance of Scottish agriculture.
“I can only assume that this is to grab media attention, however while most will see through this for what it is, it has the potential to further undermine our proud agricultural sector and our farmers who work 24/7 to feed our nation with a wide choice of fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat for the many millions who choose to make that part of their diet.”
RHASS is a registered charity with over 15,000 members, dedicated to promoting the interests of Scottish agriculture and rural living, including arable and horticultural farmers. Each year, RHASS provides free access to around 40,000 children to attend the RHS, who have the opportunity to meet farmers and understand more about food provenance and production.
The society aims to provide a platform for informed debate on food, farming, and the challenges facing the industry while celebrating the sector’s achievements. The RHASS would welcome any future discussions with interested parties who wish to put Scottish agriculture and a thriving rural economy at the forefront of their plans.
The next RHS will take place on 22nd – 25th June at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Tickets for the 2023 event are on sale. For more information, visit our Events calendar.
