Chickens are displayed at the 2014 Washington County Fair.
All live bird exhibitions at county fairs and the Iowa State Fair, as well as live birds being sold at auction markets, swap meets and exotic sales is now prohibited. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship made the announcement.
Amy Green, 4-H and Youth Coordinator for Washington County shares last year there were 112 bird exhibits at the fair. She adds they are looking at alternative ways for those students to display their knowledge of poultry at the fair.
Green adds the impact of avian flu on the state is a chance for students to learn about bio-security. More than 60 farms across 15 counties in Iowa have been impacted by the H5N2 virus.
For the full interview with Green listen to today’s Washington Page.