State gives poultry shows the green light

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture has lifted a statewide ban on poultry exhibitions just in time for county fair season, after the state went 30 days without a new USDA-confirmed case of avian influenza.

“Today’s announcement is a welcome sign of continued progress in our state’s efforts to effectively manage the outbreak of avian influenza and protect Iowa’s poultry flocks,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a June 3 news release. “While efforts will continue to prevent additional virus spread, we are pleased to resume poultry sales and exhibitions; a step made possible by our ability to respond quickly from the start.”

Henry County ISU Extension Youth Coordinator Erin Heaton said the announcement was welcome.

“We are always wanting to keep the safety of our 4-H’ers and their animals a first priority,” she said. “But we are very happy that they’re going to be able to exhibit their poultry at the county fair and we are glad we’re not having to make alternative arrangements.”

Washington County ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Amy Green said the announcement came in under the wire.

“It makes things a lot easier for us knowing we can continue on with our classes and our normal plans,” she said. “We were getting very close to the 30-day mark where we were going to have to make decisions and changes, so this comes at the perfect time for our particular county fair.”

Though the moratorium is lifted, Green said the poultry industry was not out of the woods yet.

“For what the entire industry has been through in the last several months, there is a heightened concern,” she said. “But we will do what we can to keep people and the birds safe.”

Jefferson County ISU Youth Coordinator Hilary Lanman said while the avian influenza risk was low enough for shows, it was still higher than ideal. Fair exhibitions are already subject to biosecurity precautions like pull arm tests, a method of blood testing birds for infectious diseases.

“Because this has been an issue in the state of Iowa, we pull arm test birds before they get unloaded at the fair,” she said. “We do that anyways, but especially this year, nothing will be put in pens until they’re tested.”

Lanman said exhibitors might have to take additional biosecurity steps this year, but specifics are not yet clear.

“I can’t list any right now but I’m not going to say there’s not going to be,” she said. “The announcement just came out on Friday … so we haven’t heard any yet, and my superintendents will probably have some special precautions, but I won’t know that until next week.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com