THE weather may not be perfect, but this is a bright day for Yorkshire farmers. Today saw the great put back into the Great Yorkshire Show as the three-day festival of farming finally returned to all its glory after the foot and mouth disaster.

The disease caused the cancellation of one show, and livestock restrictions hit last year's event hard. But the 145th show sees it back to its best.

The Great Yorkshire Show is a fantastic tradition, a true family event and a shop window for the region. At a time when British agriculture is beset by change, the show offers a snapshot of both our ancient farming heritage and the modern technology and techniques being adopted to keep the rural economy afloat.

We are particularly delighted that a plan to promote Yorkshire food for Yorkshire people was launched at the Harrogate showground. This should build on our own highly successful Eat Local campaign.

With so much to see and discuss, it is disappointing that not a single Government minister has found the time to visit the region's premier agricultural event. The Great Yorkshire is second only in importance to the Royal Show. There is no better place for rural ministers to meet and talk to northern farmers and learn of their hopes and concerns.

We are hardly surprised that Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is not attending. She is more elusive than the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Ben Bradshaw cites previous diary commitments, but he is more tied up being Tony Blair's chief cheerleader over the Iraq dossier row - hardly the proper priority of a countryside and fisheries minister.

Meanwhile, environment minister Elliot Morley withdrew at the last minute. Are they running scared of the pro-hunting lobby, or merely confirming a widespread belief that rural issues are very low down on this Government's agenda?

Whatever the reason, they are missing out on a fantastic day in the country.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, July 08, 2003