The poultry section of the 2017 Balmoral Show has been cancelled, Rhonda Geary, Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) operations director, has announced.
“With the continued suspension of bird gatherings in Northern Ireland due to avian influenza and following consultation with DAERA, the RUAS has regrettably decided to cancel the poultry section of the 2017 Balmoral Show,” she said.
Geary added that there will, however, still be classes for pigeons, decorated eggs and shelled eggs and that there will be further information provided regarding entry refunds.
Bird flu prevention zone
Due to the outbreak of bird flu, the avian influenza prevention zone announced on 20 January 2017 continues to apply until 11.59pm on 16 March 2017.
The zone requires the immediate and compulsory housing of domestic chickens, hens, turkeys and ducks, or when this is not practical, their complete separation from contact with wild birds.
DAERA announced last week that from midnight on 17 March 2017, the requirements of the zone will change when a new avian influenza prevention zone comes into effect. However, the housing restrictions will be lifted.
This means that farmers may let their birds out provided that they have enhanced biosecurity measures in place.
The Department of Agriculture in the Republic has not yet confirmed if birds will continue to be housed past the final date of 17 March, which is a worry for free-range farmers.
Read more
Full coverage: bird flu
The poultry section of the 2017 Balmoral Show has been cancelled, Rhonda Geary, Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) operations director, has announced.
“With the continued suspension of bird gatherings in Northern Ireland due to avian influenza and following consultation with DAERA, the RUAS has regrettably decided to cancel the poultry section of the 2017 Balmoral Show,” she said.
Geary added that there will, however, still be classes for pigeons, decorated eggs and shelled eggs and that there will be further information provided regarding entry refunds.
Bird flu prevention zone
Due to the outbreak of bird flu, the avian influenza prevention zone announced on 20 January 2017 continues to apply until 11.59pm on 16 March 2017.
The zone requires the immediate and compulsory housing of domestic chickens, hens, turkeys and ducks, or when this is not practical, their complete separation from contact with wild birds.
DAERA announced last week that from midnight on 17 March 2017, the requirements of the zone will change when a new avian influenza prevention zone comes into effect. However, the housing restrictions will be lifted.
This means that farmers may let their birds out provided that they have enhanced biosecurity measures in place.
The Department of Agriculture in the Republic has not yet confirmed if birds will continue to be housed past the final date of 17 March, which is a worry for free-range farmers.
Read more
Full coverage: bird flu
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