Melbourne Royal Show may cancel bird shows amid avian flu fears

Victoria's iconic Melbourne Royal Show faces the potential cancellation of its bird exhibitions and poultry competitions as avian flu continues to spread across the state. Organizers are scheduled to meet on Monday to deliberate on the upcoming show, which runs from September 24 to October 4, and decide whether to scrap the poultry events for the second time in three years.

Traditionally, the show brings hundreds of birds together for exhibitions and judging. However, the escalating H5N1 bird flu cases in wild birds across Australia, now at 215 confirmed detections, have raised significant biosecurity concerns. While no cases have been confirmed in poultry flocks, breeders are hesitant to risk their valuable birds.

The Victorian Poultry Fanciers Association (VPFA) anticipates the show will cancel the exhibitions. VPFA secretary Andrea Beaty stated that even with enhanced biosecurity measures, exhibitors are unwilling to jeopardize their flocks, which represent years of breeding. "I've got years of breeding in my birds, and I'm not losing that," she said.

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I've got years of breeding in my birds, and I'm not losing that.

Beaty, who is also a poultry breeder, has begun housing her own birds indoors as a precaution. She noted that many VPFA members feel further shows should be canceled due to the daily increase in cases. "As for the Melbourne Royal [Show], I work there as an attendant. My advice is they're having a meeting on Monday; I suspect that show will be cancelled. We're six to seven weeks out, there are a lot of cases, and I don't think they'll get the patronage of the exhibitors," she added.

Victoria's chief veterinary officer recently introduced a temporary poultry housing requirement in high-risk areas, mandating that poultry owners with 50 or more birds in metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas must house their birds to minimize contact with wild birds. The Royal Adelaide Show has already canceled its bird competitions due to similar concerns. Melbourne Royal Show general manager Hannah von Bibra stated that animal, exhibitor, and visitor health and welfare are the top priorities, and decisions will be based on advice from Agriculture Victoria.

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My advice is they're having a meeting on Monday; I suspect that show will be cancelled. We're six to seven weeks out, there are a lot of cases, and I don't think they'll get the patronage of the exhibitors.