All Birds Banned From Fairs For 2015

[mr.d]

All Birds Banned From Fair Due To Flu Outbreak

 

No birds will be allowed at the county fair this summer because of avian flu worries.

 

 

 

 

CLEARFIELD,MAY 19, 2015(AP)------ - There are hundreds of animals each year at the Clearfield County Fair, but this year some of them have been banned after a major bird flu outbreak in the Midwest.

This agricultural disaster is playing out in America's poultry farms. An outbreak of bird flu has killed or has forced farmers to destroy almost 37 million chickens and turkeys in 15 states.

Iowa and Minnesota were hit the worst. Minnesota alone has lost an estimated $310 million in poultry production.

Now, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is requesting no petting zoos or other displays with live poultry, saying the last outbreak in 1983 and 1984 resulted in the loss of $65 million worth of birds.

Poultry usually shares a show barn with rabbits at the Clearfield County Fair, but not this year.

"The rabbits will be there in themselves this year, but it's the state order," says Fair Board publicity and marketing director Brenda Morgan.

The Department of Agriculture recently informed the State Association of County Fairs that no bird competitions will be allowed at any county fairs in 2015 or at the Pennsylvania Farm Show next january because of the risk of the avian flu known as H5N2.

"I would rather see them alive and well and reproducing than put their health at risk to show them at the fair," says Morgan.

According to a Biosecurity: Protecting Your Poultry worksheet provided to the fair by the state, recent outbreaks in Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas mean the bird flu threat is much closer to the east coast.

"That's why the Department of Agriculture has put out this order that they not be exhibited, so that we can prevent it from spreading across Pennsylvania," says Morgan.

"Because of the flu and stuff, I think that is a good reason not to have them," says Lori Coble from Philipsburg.

And it's not just fairs. The bird flu could affect your wallet.

Palumbo's Meat Market in DuBois says their suppliers will be okay with the supply of poultry, but expect a slightly higher price for chicken. Since there is an anticipated shortage of poultry, the store tells us the price of pork has risen with the higher demand.

Meantime, fair visitors in August will have to make do.

"There's lots of other stuff, the cows," says Coble.

"I don't like to see them take it away, because the next year it'll be something else and something else," says Brad Billotte from Clearfield.

"I know there some people that really look forward to seeing em and they will be disappointed but it's for the best interests of their health and their well-being," says Morgan.

So what about the kids who were planning to show birds? The Department of Agriculture letter says Penn State Extension is now recommending they make posters or do birdless showmanship instead.

SEE VIDEO;    http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/all-birds-banned-from-fair-due-to-flu-outbreak/97732/uWdB59TFp0eyoyJpQRTP9Q

[Guest]

   Chickens creep me out, so I am actually OK with the ban.