Wet Dealers Announcement

Yo Guys

Over the last few weeks, I have been asked many questions about the National show. The main question has been about the new venue, and why we have moved the show.  Then next most popular question was  ‘will there be koi sales at the show’.

So the answer to the first question is as follows.--   

We often felt that Newark show ground didn’t really want us there in the last few years. There were several incidents that made running the show more difficult for the show committee than it should have been.   We were unable to use the Cedric Ford pavilion, due to other bookings. There was discussion about moving us from the main arena to a more remote field on the site. This would have resulted in our having to get water from a distance, and possibly no drains for the waste water. We also didn’t know if we had a local electricity supply either. We were not being informed about other events at the showground that impacted upon our access to the site and our security arrangements. Attendances were dropping, although this last year we did increase the gate by almost 400, and many visitors made it clear that they would prefer another venue.  Some of our sponsors were telling us, that if we stayed at Newark, then they may reduce their backing, up to the point of pulling out altogether. This would have maybe caused the national show to cease. Other potential sponsors had also told us that they were not interested while the show stayed at Newark.

So, a few of us looked around for another venue. In total 9 were looked at as having potential to host the show.  Some were dismissed straight away, and a few others were looked at in greater depth.  None came up to the standard of Stafford’s Bingley Hall.  Warwick show ground came close, but the costs  there were far greater than Stafford and it was not financially viable.

Stafford show ground staff have been extremely helpful since we made the first enquiry.  With being indoors, it has opened up a new dimension to the show. On announcing the move, our last years sponsors were delighted, and are backing us 100% again. Also this year we have had many others now wanting to join in on this.  Even some of the old sponsors, are coming back, which has been a massive boost.    

Many Hobbyists  are now wanting to show their koi at the National, so much so, that  we have quite a large waiting list, So, we are planning towards a 100 vat show in the near future. We want to give everyone a chance to show their koi at this event.

So now the answer to the next question, and this has been the only set back for the show.

When we were looking for a new venue, every one we looked at we were told ‘No Koi sales’. The only exception being Stafford, although they weren’t keen. We spoke to the council licensing department, who sent us all the documentation for applying for pet licenses for the wet dealers.  So after getting this information, we booked the venue and said ‘good-bye’ to Newark. We planned the show, and then after we had committed to Stafford, the county council [SCC] said that they might not now let us have a pet license.  So we were stuck in a quandary, but we had to carry on with building the show, and had to plan for ‘no koi sales’.

We got legal advice, and spoke to all the authorities. This included DEFRA. OATA. CEFAS. and the PKDA.  Stafford county council stuck to their guns, and would not budge. They quoted from the 1951 (Pet Animals) Act and having been the subject of a legal case in 2006 when the High Court had ruled that the sale of birds at a Parrot Society Show was illegal, it became obvious that they would not change their mind without a change in the law.

Please note - It is still how each individual council interprets  the law, that decides whether or not a licence will be issued.  

So other councils may read it differently, and see it in a different light.

My phone bills were going over £100 a month talking to these guys , trying desperately to find a solution, and hopefully get SCC to back down. But 4 weeks ago I received a final notice from them stating that they will not be issuing us with a pet licence to sell koi at the National show this year! This has not only affected our show, but sadly has had an impact on other koi shows as well.

The animal welfare act is currently being revised. This will exempt koi dealers from needing  a pet licence at shows.  I have seen this bill, and it should have come into force last year, but it didn’t happen due to ‘more important’ legislation taking priority, and with the forthcoming general election, will not be coming in for some time.

So sadly, we will not be selling koi at the National this year!  We are still inviting wet dealers, but only to show their koi.  I have spoken to a few of the dealers, and although disappointed, several still want to be present at the National show.  We anticipate that a few may not want to do this, but the situation is out of our hands, and we needed to press on and prepare for the show at the new venue.

I hope this wont put you off coming to the National show, as we expect some of the best koi in the country to be on display. This will always be the main attraction of ‘The National’.

Most of the major manufacturers of koi equipment will be present, along with many of the top koi dealerships will be taking up many of the available stands and selling a full range of dry goods.  Plenty of craft stalls will be in attendance and koi clubs are now also taking up the opportunity to be present at ‘The National’

It promises to be a great show, and hopefully we will see this show flourishing .

Regards

Martin [Mushio] Barnett

BKKS National Show Chairman