Perth Royal Show cancels poultry exhibits amid bird flu crisis

Poultry exhibits at the Perth Royal Show have been cancelled in response to the bird flu crisis.

The Royal Agricultural Society of WA announced on Friday it had made the “precautionary decision” not to proceed with the poultry competition due to the “evolving H5 avian influenza situation around Australia”.

With about 750 birds from 80 exhibitors due to gather at the Claremont Showground next month, RASWA chief executive Robyn Sermon said avoiding this movement of birds around the state was the most responsible approach.

“While the risk of an outbreak at the show is extremely low given the current status of the disease in WA, we are aware this could change at any time,” she said.

“The Perth Royal Show has an important role in agricultural education, so rather than closing the Poultry Pavilion, we are adapting the program to give visitors new ways to learn about poultry, egg production, caring for birds, and avian influenza.”

The decision followed consultation with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the WA Poultry Association.

Agricultural societies in Adelaide and Melbourne made the same decision this week.

Ms Sermon said the decision balanced responsible biosecurity management “with the show’s important role in celebrating poultry and educating the community.”

The show will also expand its egg competition to include new categories celebrating different egg colours, sizes and types along with creative decorated egg classes.

Entries for the new categories open on Monday.

The RASWA is considering a small educational display of birds in the poultry pavilion, with a final decision to be made closer to the first day of the show on September 26.

WA Poultry Association secretary Thomas Spencer said a cautious approach was necessary.

“We love to show our exhibition poultry and it’s how our community comes together, but the number priority is the welfare of the birds and maintaining rare endangered breeds,” Mr Spencer said.

He said the expanded egg program was an exciting opportunity which would allow exhibitors to still have a presence at the show.

WA Premier Roger Cook said he supported the Royal Agricultural Society’s decision.

“We need to continue to be vigilant in relation to Avian flu. It is going to have a devastating impact on our on our wildlife, potentially on our industry as well. So we have to have a very cautious approach,” Mr Cook said.

Ms Sermon said there would still be an extensive program of animals, agricultural exhibits and experiences for visitors to enjoy.

The announcement came as DPIRD issued new advice to pet bird and poultry owners to keep their animals safe from bird flu.

This included ensuring that wild birds cannot access housing, feed, water or bedding of pets and regularly cleaning pens and aviaries.

So far, current detections of H5 bird flu in WA remain limited to wild migratory birds and there have been no detections in poultry or WA’s agricultural system.

The State Government is preparing to finalise its priority list of native species to receive a new vaccine under a Commonwealth initiative announced this week. So far the list includes black swans, little penguins, black cockatoos and blue-billed ducks.