Minnesota State Fair Cancels 2015 Open Class and 4-H Poultry Shows

ST. PAUL, MINN. (05/15/2015)(readMedia)-- The Minnesota State Fair has canceled its poultry shows for the 2015 Great Minnesota Get-Together. The cancellations are in response to the directive issued by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

For the 2015 State Fair, the Poultry Barn will feature interactive displays and presentations about Minnesota's poultry industry and its huge contribution to the state's economy.

Throughout its 160-year history, State Fair livestock shows have been modified, restricted, and even canceled for animal health reasons. The most recent occurrence was in April of 2014 when no regional horses were displayed during the Minnesota Horse Expo due to an equine virus.

The State Fair works closely on animal health issues with a variety of agencies and veterinary experts. For decades, these groups have included the Board of Animal Health, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota 4-H and FFA and a variety of animal producers associations.

Further information on the H5N2 highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is available at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health's website: www.bah.state.mn.us.

Media Availability Today: Representatives from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota 4-H and Minnesota Turkey Growers Association will provide statements and answer questions pertaining to the 2015 bird exhibition decision TODAY, Friday, May 15 at 10:45 a.m. CST in front of the Administration Building (1292 Cosgrove St.) on the State Fairgrounds.

About the Minnesota State Fair: The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota's finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota

Get-Together is always 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. Visit www.mnstatefair.org for more information. The 2015 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 27 - Labor Day, Sept. 7.

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------------MINNESOTA BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS RELEASE – MAY 15, 2015------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2015

CONTACT:

Bethany Hahn, Minn. Board of Animal Health, 651-201-6830

Brienna Schuette, Minnesota State Fair, 651-288-4321

Wendy Huckaby, U of M Extension, 651-239-7554

Lara Durben, Minn. Turkey Growers Assn./Chicken and Egg Assn. of Minn., 763-682-2127

Exhibitions of Birds Cancelled for 2015 Season

Fairs, swap meets, exotic sales and petting zoos will not include birds

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced its directive to cancel all bird exhibitions at county fairs, the State Fair, and other gatherings of birds. The Board's directive is effective through the end of 2015 and also prohibits birds from being included in swap meets, exotic sales, and petting zoos.

Since March 5, 2015, nearly 90 Minnesota farms have been impacted by H5N2 highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The purpose of the Board's directive is to minimize the risk of potential further spread of the virus. The risk to the public related to H5N2 HPAI is very low and there is no food safety concern.

"Taking this step makes sense," said Dr. Beth Thompson, assistant director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. "We need to do everything possible to get rid of this virus and preventing the commingling of birds from different farms is one way to do that."

Animal health officials met with leadership of the Minnesota State Fair and University of Minnesota Extension earlier this week to discuss the situation.

"This is a critical time for Minnesota's poultry industry, and we'll do whatever it takes to help," said State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer. "The Board of Animal Health has absolutely made the right decision. We'll use this as an opportunity to further educate people about the challenges of food production."

"University of Minnesota Extension 4-H's priority is youth and their learning experiences," said Brad Rugg, Extension 4-H and State Fair and Animal Science program director. "Some 4-H'ers will be disappointed that they won't be able to show their poultry projects at fairs this summer, but we're exploring alternate learning opportunities to offer them at fairs and will share more details as plans develop. Part of our job developing the next generation of agriculture leaders includes teaching youth best practices to ensure the health and safety of the animals they raise, and this is that learning being put into action in the real world."

Minnesota's poultry industry has experienced the largest impact as a result of HPAI. Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and Chicken and Egg Association of Minnesota said, "We know the decision to halt poultry exhibitions at our county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair was not an easy one to make. This certainly affects the 4-H kids who plan for their projects all year long, and also means fewer opportunities for fairgoers across the state to learn about raising poultry. However, this is the right decision because what's most important at this point is protecting the health and well-being of the birds that are being raised by 4-H'ers, FFA members, and Minnesota's poultry farmers."

Representatives from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota 4-H and Minnesota Turkey Growers Association will provide statements and answer questions pertaining to the 2015 bird exhibition decision.

What: Media availability

Who: Dr. Beth Thompson, Assistant Director, Minnesota Board of Animal Health

Jerry Hammer, General Manager, Minnesota State Fair

Brad Rugg, University of Minnesota Extension 4-H State Fair and Animal Science Program Director

Steve Olson, Executive Director, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and Chicken and Egg Association of Minnesota

When: TODAY, Friday, May 15, 2015 at 10:45 a.m. CST

Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Administration Building, 1292 Cosgrove Street, St. Paul, MN

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is the lead animal disease response agency in the state and is working with other state and federal agencies and the poultry industry to eradicate HPAI.

Visit www.mnairesponse.info for the most up-to-date information on Minnesota's response to HPAI.

For information on livestock exhibition requirements in Minnesota, visit www.bah.state.mn.us/exhibitions.