RAIN AND mud failed to put off visitors to today’s Ryedale Show – as it demonstrated why the district is fast becoming a food-producing epicentre for the country.

Tractors were poised to pull stricken motorists from Ryedale Show’s water-logged fields at Welburn Park near Kirkbymoorside today (Tuesday, July 28). But despite the weather, the show enjoyed good visitor numbers.

The show sits in an area that is swiftly developing and expanding its food and drink industries, as Ryedale attracts investment for food and farming.

Earlier this year the government announced the Malton area would become one of the country’s six new Food Enterprise Zones.

Barry Dodd, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership said The Food and Environment Research Agency, an executive agency of Defra, would shortly be announcing “two huge gains” for the area which will add to Ryedale’s strengths as a centre of food production.

Mr Dodd, CBE, who presented a number of trophies at the show in his role as Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, said: “It’s really important that in spite of the pound increasing in value, that we continue to export the really superb quality British food from this area.”

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said it was a “critical” time for farming industries, which were dealing with huge pressure from supermarkets trying to drive prices down.

“We have the finest farmers in the world, yet we need to make sure they get the recognition they deserve for their products,” said Mr Hollinrake.

“Shows like this are hugely important; 82 per cent of people would pay a premium for British produce.”

Presenter Adam Henson, from BBC’s Countryfile, was also filming at the show, looking at Yorkshire County Breeds, including Swaledale and Wensleydale sheep and Cleveland Bay horses.

He said he thought the general public were probably unaware of the great lengths people showing such breeds go to in preparing and showing their sheep and the pride involved.