Fowl competitions banned at state and county fairs
NORWICH – Fowl competitions are off limits at fairs across the state this year as state officials try to hold back the spread of the avian influenza virus.
The ban will affect the New York State Fair, all local youth fairs, and all 45 county fairs in New York State, including the Chenango County fair. The directive was announced by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on Tuesday.
While a disappointment to fairgoers, the decision was nothing short of “commonsense,” according to NY Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.
“Avian influenza has not yet been detected in New York State, but it is a very serious threat to poultry and all breeds of fowl and is continuing to spread,” Ball said. “Despite the efforts of the best poultry health experts in North America, we do not fully understand the cause of the rapid spread of the virus. This commonsense step will help limit the spread of the influenza to other farms and chickens.”
New York follows suit of several other states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Minnesota which have already banned similar competitions and displays this year. To date, influenza has been found on more than 170 farms in 20 states in the west, midwest, and southern regions of the country, as well as two Canadian provinces. Officials believe this to be the largest avian influenza outbreak in U.S. history.
The ban applies to all breeds of fowl, including chickens, pigeons, turkeys, pheasants, guinea fowl, bantam poultry, geese, and ducks.
Although current strains of avian influenza circulating in the midwest are extremely deadly to birds, experts say that the virus strains are not a threat to humans. Health officials stress that chicken and eggs are safe to eat when cooked properly.
The ban will affect the New York State Fair, all local youth fairs, and all 45 county fairs in New York State, including the Chenango County fair. The directive was announced by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on Tuesday.
While a disappointment to fairgoers, the decision was nothing short of “commonsense,” according to NY Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.
“Avian influenza has not yet been detected in New York State, but it is a very serious threat to poultry and all breeds of fowl and is continuing to spread,” Ball said. “Despite the efforts of the best poultry health experts in North America, we do not fully understand the cause of the rapid spread of the virus. This commonsense step will help limit the spread of the influenza to other farms and chickens.”
New York follows suit of several other states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Minnesota which have already banned similar competitions and displays this year. To date, influenza has been found on more than 170 farms in 20 states in the west, midwest, and southern regions of the country, as well as two Canadian provinces. Officials believe this to be the largest avian influenza outbreak in U.S. history.
The ban applies to all breeds of fowl, including chickens, pigeons, turkeys, pheasants, guinea fowl, bantam poultry, geese, and ducks.
Although current strains of avian influenza circulating in the midwest are extremely deadly to birds, experts say that the virus strains are not a threat to humans. Health officials stress that chicken and eggs are safe to eat when cooked properly.
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