Covid-19: SPACE 2020 also cancelled

06-05-2020 | |
Snapshot of an earlier edition of the annual animal husbandry show SPACE in France. - Photo: Henk Riswick
Snapshot of an earlier edition of the annual animal husbandry show SPACE in France. - Photo: Henk Riswick

The number of international agricultural shows that are cancelled due to Covid-19 continues to rise. France’s annual animal husbandry show SPACE is also taken off the calendar.

SPACE would otherwise be held in Rennes, France, from 15 to 18 September. In a press release, the organisers explained the reasons to cancel the event and why they decided not to wait with the decision until mid-June, as was announced at an earlier stage.

Early decision to cancel SPACE 2020

The organisers said, “Given the uncertain situation and the state of health emergency that has now been extended for several more months, we believed it was important to take this decision earlier than initially intended.The infection control measures will most likely still be required in September, and it would be nearly impossible to strictly comply with these measures at SPACE, due to the large numbers of people at the expo. It would be extremely difficult to achieve physical distancing at the stands, in queues, conference areas, restaurants and receptions.”

More than 100,000 visitors

SPACE normally brings together over 1,400 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors. The next edition of SPACE is now scheduled for 14-17 September 2021, also in Rennes, France.

All international agricultural shows starting in March 2020 have been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19. Most recently, even the postponed version of Victam 2020 was postponed once more.

ter Beek
Vincent ter Beek Editor of Pig Progress / Topic: Pigs around the world