PDA Publishes Quarantine Order on Poultry at Agricultural Fairs

On July 11, 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) published notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which placed a quarantine order on all poultry and poultry products from the premises of the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, as well as any competitions, shows, fairs and exhibitions that receive funding pursuant to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act.  The quarantine will be in effect until further notice from PDA.

The notice cites the authority to issue the quarantine comes from the Domestic Animal Law, specifically 3 Pa. C.S.A. §§ 2329(a) and 2329(d).  Under section 2329(d), avian influenza is considered a “dangerous transmissible disease,” giving the PDA broad authority in how to prevent and handle potential outbreaks.

Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding issued a press release back on May 11, 2015, announcing these measures.  The press release noted that the measures are in place to prevent a potential outbreak and spread of avian influenza in Pennsylvania.  The last outbreak in Pennsylvania occurred in 1983-84 and 17 million birds were lost that were valued at $65 million.  In 2014, the poultry and egg industry totaled $13 billion in economic activity in Pennsylvania, making prevention of avian influenza critical.  

Written by Katharine Richter - Research Assistant

July 16, 2015

Secretary Redding Suspends Avian Competitions at Fairs

On May 11, 2015, due to increasing threats regarding the spread of avian influenza, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding issued a press release announcing that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture was “suspending all avian competitions at state-approved agricultural fairs in 2015, as well as the 2016 Pennsylvania Farm Show.”

According to Secretary Redding, since December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture has reported that 145 flocks of U.S. birds have tested positive for avian influenza.  As a result, 15 million birds have either been killed by the disease or been euthanized by producers.  By suspending avian competitions at agricultural fairs, the secretary seeks “to take proactive steps to reduce the risks of avian influenza spreading.”

In a separate letter sent to the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs, Secretary Redding, in addition to announcing his ruling regarding state approved agricultural fairs and the Pennsylvania Farm Show, requested “that all additional open poultry shows, fairs and expositions in the state also refrain from avian activity in all forms, while the virus is spreading throughout the nation.”

Relatedly, on May 13, 2015, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed a state of emergency after a string of recent avian influenza outbreaks at Nebraska poultry facilities.  At this time, it has been reported that 4 million chickens, located on three different Nebraska farms, have tested positive for avian influenza.    


Written by M. Sean High - Staff Attorney
May 26, 2015