There will be no cows or goats at the Agriculture Day in Alkmaar next Wednesday. This is due to the emergence of the bluetongue virus.
The organization says that there is no transport ban yet, but that the responsible committees ‘do not want to take unnecessary risks’ and that it has therefore been decided not to exhibit cows and goats. The number of infections with the bluetongue virus has increased in recent weeks, after the latest outbreak was nipped in the bud in 2009.
The bluetongue virus is not contagious, but is transmitted via midges.
Agriculture Day
The Alkmaar Agricultural Day has been organized in the city center for 120 years. Traditionally, there is always a horse inspection on this Wednesday, and people can view cows and goats.
The cows and goats will stay at home this time, but the horse inspection will continue. There is also a regional products market and old and new tractors are exhibited.