No poultry competitions at Balmoral Show due to bird flu

There will be no poultry competitions at this year's Balmoral Show, because of bird flu restrictions.

The organisers said the decision had been taken due to uncertainty about when any ban on bird gatherings may be lifted.

A small display of birds from a single flock will be held.

All poultry in Northern Ireland, from commercial to backyard and hobby flocks, are currently under a housing order meaning they must be kept indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds, and certain bird gatherings are banned.

The virus has now been confirmed at a commercial poultry premises near Dungannon.

About 64,000 birds were culled at Killygarvin Farm Eggs after a suspected infection was reported.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the site.

Poultry classes returned to Balmoral in 2024 for the first time since 2019.

In 2023, a display of birds was held instead of competitions when a housing order was lifted too late for the classes to be included.

Organisers say they plan to hold a display again at this year's show in May, with birds from the same flock.

The display will run alongside the egg and decorated egg classes.