The Ploughing Championships is worth about €50m to the economy, with not just agriculture businesses showcased, but technology, food, fitness, crafts and much more. 

For it to be cancelled is a significant loss to 1,700 businesses who were hoping to exhibit at the event, but Anna Marie McHugh from the National Ploughing Association told Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live today that they had to make a decision, because they weren’t getting enough information from govt.

She also raised concerns that the importance of the Championships might have been forgotten about because it’s a rural event.

Kieran was joined by the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConnalogue, to give his response.