June 15, 2015
Avian Influenza Ruling and 4-H Poultry Projects
The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health has issued a stop movement order, effectively cancelling all poultry-related shows and events through calendar year 2015. This includes all types of poultry activities where birds from different flocks are co-mingled. This effects all regional and county fairs, festivals and the Kansas State Fair. This measure is being implemented in an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI).
All live 4-H poultry exhibitions are cancelled through the calendar year of 2015. This includes 4-H live poultry exhibits and 4-H poultry showmanship. Any 4-H poultry-related presentations can be conducted as long as the presentations do not include live poultry.
As Extension professionals, it is our responsibility to uphold this stop movement as it relates to KSRE and Kansas 4-H poultry-related shows or events. This restriction is not only an animal health concern, but transporting and co-mingling poultry during this restriction is illegal.
We are working with the Kansas State Fair to find options at the state level. Please work with your local fair boards in helping to find reasonable options for the youth enrolled in poultry projects in your local unit. Options may include a poultry skill-a-thon, photography exhibits and presentations, virtual field trips or other video presentations related to their poultry project.
There are almost 2,200 youth enrolled in the 4-H Poultry project and while I know that many youth will be disappointed, I am confident that they will be able to provide a creative and safe way to showcase their knowledge and skills in the 4-H poultry project. As a reminder, exhibiting at the fair should not be a requirement for 4-H project completion. As more information comes available related to the Kansas State Fair, it will be communicated via email, the Tuesday Letter and posted in the 4-H Tipsheet.