State poultry show ban affects Cape Fear Fair and Expo

ROCKY POINT, NC (WWAY) — The livestock show at the Cape Fear Fair and Expo is a staple, entertaining thousands each year. But this year there will be fewer exhibits.

“The Cape Fear Fair and Expo will have no birds, no feathers, at our fair this year,” said Cindy McNally of McNally’s Farm in Rocky Point.

This after a state ban announced Thursday calling for the cancellation of all poultry shows. The ban also puts an end to the buying and selling of live poultry. That ban will run from August 15th through January 15th next year.

“We will be having a meeting with the livestock staff to try to come up with some other programs with maybe more goat shows, sheep shows, horse shows, cattle shows … Something else different to just add a little bit to take the place of those birds that won’t be there,” said McNally.

NC State Professor and Extension Poultry Veterinarian Donna carver said if North Carolina is hit with the disease there will be serious economic impacts because it is an $18 billion industry.

“If flu, bird flu, hits us it’s going to be very very expensive for us. There will be, you know, embargoes on meat and egg products leaving the country. And we do export quite a bit,” said Carver.

Local farmers are taking precautions by keeping birds away from standing water, avoiding contact with wild birds, and regular check ups and tests from the vet. These are all ways to prevent the spread of the avian flu.