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Stanislaus County Fair suspends 2003 poultry show
The
Stanislaus County Fair Board has voted to suspend the
poultry show at this year’s July fair.
The vote followed recommendations from the
Division of Fairs and Expositions, a division of the
California Department of Food and Agriculture.
“Due
to severity of this virus [Exotic Newcastle Disease]
and the serious threat to the poultry industry in
California, the Divisions of Fairs and Expositions
strongly recommends that California Fair Boards adopt
a local policy to suspend all poultry shows for the
2003 fair season,” stated Liz Houser, director of
fairs and expositions.
“Our
board will work with the local 4-H and FFA
representatives to coordinate a bird-less poultry
exhibit for the 2003 fair,” shared Ray Souza,
chairman of the Stanislaus County Fair Board Livestock
Committee. “We will encourage the students to participate and to
educate fairgoers about the poultry industry.”
Poultry
entries represented 370 of the 22,000-plus entries to
the 2002 Stanislaus County Fair.
“It is
important that our fair guests understand that this is
a temporary suspension and that it affects only the
poultry exhibits,” shared Souza.
“Our guests will still enjoy more than a
thousand rabbits, beef, swine, sheep, goats and replacement heifers as well as a
wonderful petting zoo in the 4-H Farmyard Experience
exhibit,” Souza said.
According
to the California Department of Food and Agriculture,
Exotic Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious
illness that is known to spread rapidly and is
associated with high mortality rates in birds.
Movement of infected birds or contaminated
materials can easily spread the disease.
The disease does not post a risk to human
health. Poultry
and egg products are safe to consume.
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