Royal Canberra Show organisers cancel 2021 event due to coronavirus pandemic

Chief executive Geoff Cannocks reluctantly cancelled the show on Monday afternoon after setting the end of November as a deadline for needing to make a decision.

He said pushing ahead with crowd limits would have resulted in an event not of "royal standards", with the Royal National Agricultural Society to run separate cattle and dog shows in February and a potential horse show in spring next year.

Just 500 people are expected to attend the cattle and dog shows.

Mr Cannocks said the organisers staff numbers had been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just two of the seven-strong staff remain. Mr Cannocks said the society would need to rely on volunteers to ensure the show goes ahead in 2022.

"It's going to be difficult, we won't have experienced staff, we'll be relying on volunteers and we have very little funds in the bank," Mr Cannocks said of reigniting the show in 2022.

The show is the latest 2021 Canberra event to be cancelled after the ACT government postponed the Multicultural Festival last week and cancelled the New Year's Eve and Australia Day fireworks.

The show has run every year since 1943, but the government has capped event attendance to 5000 people.

"The society held off making this decision in the hope that conditions would improve, and it would be safe to hold the show. Current restrictions are already having a major impact on the society's financial position," show organisers said in a statement.

"The society is mindful of the impact this decision will have on the 500 or so businesses that have benefited from the opportunity to trade at the show in the past.

"There will also be disappointment from the 50,000 plus public who love their once a year showbag, fairy floss, sideshow ride and the interaction with their favourite farms animals."

However, the society also thanked the ACT government for its support during a difficult year.

"[The ACT government] have provided rent relief and deferment of an outstanding debt from the 2020 Show," the society said in a statement.

"They acknowledged the effect that the recent drought, the bushfires and then floods have had on our regional Agricultural community. "

The society also said they have raised $40,000 to go towards the 2022 show.

Mr Cannocks said organisers have run the show through rains and drought, but COVID-19 had been "a real challenge".

"We are now looking forward to volunteers putting on the 2022 Royal Canberra Show," Mr Cannocks said.