Northern Ireland: no poultry events at 2025 Balmoral Show

The Royal Ulster Agriculture Society has announced that there will be no poultry classes at this year’s Balmoral Show. Organised every May by the Society, the Balmoral Show takes place in Balmoral Park, just outside of Belfast, and is one of the largest agricultural fairs in Northern Ireland. The decision to ban poultry events this year is due to the recent avian influenza outbreak in the UK, which has resulted in several restrictive measures such as mandatory housing orders and the creation of surveillance and protection zones around affected farms. There will be a small display of birds from the same flock at the show alongside traditional decorating egg classes.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed the cull of 16,000 birds at a commercial poultry premise near Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone. The cull was decided after some tests showed the presence of avian influenza H5N1 among local birds. Last week, over 64,000 birds were also culled for the same reason at a commercial poultry premise near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. DAERA reminds the public that suspected cases must always be reported to the authorities.