The Royal Hobart Poultry and Pigeon Show has been cancelled over fears bird flu could spread among more than 1,000 birds gathered from across the state.
The show was set for August 22 at the Hobart Showground but the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania have pulled the pin after H5 avian influenza was detected in north-west Tasmania on Tuesday night.
A dead brown skua tested positive at Burgess Cove, Rocky Cape, after Parks and Wildlife Service staff found the carcass during routine coastal surveillance.
RAST CEO Scott Gadd said the decision was made to protect exhibitors, their birds and the broader animal population.
“The risks to our exhibitors, their prized birds and the broader animal population are considered too high under the current circumstances,” he said.
“This was shaping up to be the biggest Royal Hobart Poultry Show we have held in many years, with entries from Tasmania’s north-west coast for the first time in many years.”
Gadd said given the detection and the movement of birds required, cancellation was the responsible call.
“Our priority must be to minimise the potential for disease transmission and protect the health and welfare of the birds involved, as well as the broader Tasmanian poultry and animal industries,” he said.
Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said there was no evidence of an outbreak and no detection in commercial poultry.
“I want to reassure Tasmanians that we are prepared to respond to H5 Bird Flu and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” Pearce said.
The state government said it had completed aerial surveys of more than 980 kilometres of coastline and invested in decontamination units and mobile truck wash facilities.
Protection plans have been developed for at-risk species including the Orange-bellied parrot and Tasmanian devil.
Poultry owners are urged to keep birds separated from wild birds and protect feed and water from contamination.
The RAST said they look forward to welcoming the poultry community back to the Royal Hobart Showground “when circumstances allow”.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds should call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
