Victoria
Royal Adelaide Show cancels poultry exhibits amid rising H5 cases
The Royal Adelaide Show will go ahead without bird and poultry exhibits next month due to rising cases of H5 influenza.
Next month's Royal Adelaide Show will go ahead without any bird or poultry exhibits, following concerns over a rising number of H5 influenza cases. According to a wire report, the decision to scrap the popular agricultural displays will be in place for 2026, marking a significant disruption to the annual event.
The cancellation comes as South Australia records the largest number of flu cases in the country. Organisers made the decision to withdraw the exhibits to mitigate the risks associated with the virus, which has seen an increase in cases recently. The state now leads the nation in recorded infections, prompting strict biosecurity measures.
At this stage, it remains unclear exactly how many H5 cases have been detected in South Australia, or whether any specific commercial poultry farms have been directly affected by the outbreak. It is also not yet confirmed what financial impact the absence of these exhibits will have on the event, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
For local breeders and poultry enthusiasts, the absence of the exhibits represents a major blow. The Royal Adelaide Show is one of the premier platforms for showcasing poultry in the state, and the restrictions mean competitors will miss out on displaying their birds both next month and into 2026. Organisers have not yet detailed how the empty exhibition spaces will be utilised.
Other aspects of the Royal Adelaide Show, including amusement rides, commercial stalls, and other livestock competitions, are expected to proceed without interruption next month.
Observers will be watching to see if other state agricultural shows follow South Australia's lead and cancel their own poultry exhibits in the coming weeks.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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