SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets to prevent the spread of avian influenza. The Department’s emergency rules took effect last month. Illinois 4-H has announced they will move all 4-H poultry shows to an alternate format while the emergency rules are in place. A decision regarding State Fair poultry shows will be made next month.
“We want all youth to know they will still have an opportunity to exhibit and share what they’ve learned in their 4-H poultry project this year,” said Dr. Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Director.
Flock owners, managers, or veterinarians should report any unusual findings in domestic poultry such as increase in mortality, decrease in water consumption, decrease in egg production, or respiratory signs including coughing and sneezing immediately to the IDOA at 217-782-4944 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.
Weekdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
