Pig exhibitions will not be a part of this year's Royal Adelaide Show because of fears the animals could contract swine flu from people, but it's not all bad news.The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society has consulted the Australian Pig Breeders Association and the Primary Industries Department.
The ban will leave about 200 pigs out of the Shows' exhibitions.
But the Royal Show's chief executive, John Rothwell, says pig racing - and diving - in which pigs plunge into pools of water - will stay.
"They have their own facilities, they're only handled by their trainers, whereas our exhibition pigs and so forth are all open really for handling by a large number of people," he said.
"So these training pigs are there really for performance only, and there's no risk associated and of course they don't go back to a piggery at home, they go on racing, in fact to the Melbourne show!"
Mr Rothwell says the pig exhibition ban will protect the animals and their owners.
"From their point of view, it's far better off to protect their industry and take the precaution rather than the risk," he said.
Pig exhibitor Cheryl Wandel agrees.
"Especially for the people that rely on the pigs for their income for the year," she said.
The Royal Adelaide Show runs from September 4 to 12.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/15/2656946.htm
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