By Nia Thomas BBC Wales Rural Affairs Correspondent

The Royal Welsh Show re-opens its gates on Monday after a gap of two years.

Like all other agricultural shows it was cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Traditionally this is the most important week in the Welsh farming calendar, and will be even more important this year as the agricultural industry continues to recover after a difficult 18 months.

Cows and sheep are not the only animals in the show

The number of entries in the cattle, sheep, pig and goat sections are slightly down but better then expected.

However, the horse entries are the highest for five years.

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society chief executive David Walters says he is very encouraged by the response from exhibitors all over Wales.

"The stock is the most important part of the show and I'm extremely pleased with the numbers bearing in mind the difficulties we've had," said Mr Walters.

Foot-and-mouth does mean that there will some additional rules and regulations to follow this year.

"We're trying to keep things as normal as possible. But we are asking the public not to touch the animals.

The show is a big social occasion

"And although they will be allowed into the stock sheds all sixteen entrances will have disinfectant mats which they will have to walk over, " he added.

Cancelling the 2001 show meant a loss of �400,000 to the society - the organisers of the event.

A plea for financial aid from the Welsh Assembly fell on deaf ears - but there are now ongoing discussions to try and get some backing to develop the showground.

One idea is to develop the area around the main ring so that more events can be held at Builth Wells during the rest of the year.

Across Wales exhibitors are preparing for the journey to mid Wales.

Goronwy Jones from Nebo near Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley will be competing in the Welsh Black Cattle section for the first time in twenty years.

Tremendous boost

"It's a very important week for us as farmers - out annual holidays. It's a chance to show the best stock to the public.

"And I hope it's a good show this year after all the difficulties we've had," said Mr Jones.

But the show isn't just about animals.

It's a tremendous boost to the whole of the mid Wales economy.

Arwyn Morgans keeps a butcher's shop in the town of Builth Wells.

"The show isn't just four days. There's all the preparation before hand - and taking down all the stands after the show."

One other important change this year will be the parking arrangements.

Disagreement between the organisers and a local farmer means some eighty acres have been lost and alternative plans have been made to accommodate traffic from north Wales.

Show organisers are urging people to follow the relevant signposts.

The aim is to attract more than 200,000 people through the gates over the four days and re-emphasise that this is one of the most popular agricultural shows in Britain.