State ag dept. bans Canfield Fair icon after avian flu concern

CANFIELD

The icon of the Canfield Fair is not invited to attend this year.

Fairgoers will not see roosters or any other kind of poultry or waterfowl at the 169th Canfield Fair because of an avian flu concern.

“It is sad,” said Tony Parks, director in charge of poultry, rabbits, sheep and goats.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that it was barring displays of live birds, including youngsters’ poultry projects, at county fairs as part of efforts to prevent the spread of avian flu.

The prohibition covers all live exhibitions or locations where groups of birds could be displayed, including livestock auctions and the state fair.

“This was a difficult decision because it means young people can’t show their birds at fairs, but it’s in the best interest of an industry that literally thousands of Ohio families and businesses depend on and which provides billions of dollars to our state’s economy,” David Daniels, state agriculture director, said in a released statement. “The right move isn’t always the easy move, but this is the right move, especially when you see just how devastating the virus has been to other big poultry states, like Iowa and Minnesota.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was first confirmed in the U.S. last year. The highly contagious virus primarily affects domestic poultry, but is believed to be spread by wild migrating birds.

For more on the story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.