The Melbourne Royal Show has cancelled poultry competitions and exhibitions for 2026 in the wake of surging H5 bird flu cases around the country. Announced by Melbourne Royal Show executive general manager Hannah von Bibra, the precautionary measure aims to protect the Victorian poultry community while the virus spreads through wild populations.
Melbourne Royal Show Cancels 2026 Poultry Exhibits
Organisers made the decision following consultations with Agriculture Victoria and the state’s chief veterinary officer, according to Melbourne Royal Show executive general manager Hannah von Bibra. While there are currently no recorded detections of H5N1 in Australian poultry, organisers want to provide certainty for exhibitors as the disease situation remains unpredictable. The poultry section, a staple of the 178-year-old agricultural event for 150 years, previously faced cancellation during the 2024 H7 bird flu outbreak, as reported by event organisers. Exhibitors who spent months preparing their flocks will miss the competitions, though show management hopes to welcome poultry back to the pavilion in 2027.
Did you know? The Melbourne Royal Show has been going for over 178 years and the poultry part of that for 150.
Statewide Biosecurity Restrictions and Housing Mandates
The cancellation aligns with strict new housing mandates implemented by Victoria’s chief veterinary officer, which require poultry owners with flocks exceeding 50 birds in metropolitan Melbourne, coastal regions, and surrounding high-risk zones to keep their animals confined indoors for 14 days, according to regional reporting. These temporary housing requirements aim to minimize contact between domestic birds and wild populations, which currently account for 215 confirmed cases of the H5N1 strain across Australia, according to data cited by the Victorian Poultry Fanciers Association (VPFA). Braham Metry, a poultry auctioneer in Southern NSW and Northeast Victoria, noted that large commercial producers face logistical hurdles adapting their facilities for indoor housing. Meanwhile, Andrea Beaty, secretary of the VPFA and a Melbourne Royal Show attendant, stated that breeders are reluctant to risk years of selective breeding, noting a strong preference among members to forgo shows amid daily case increases.
Wildlife Vaccination Programs Across Victoria
Simultaneously, Victorian authorities launched what is believed to be the world’s largest wildlife vaccination program, targeting the wild population of little penguins on Phillip Island and in St Kilda, according to 7NEWS. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke acknowledged the logistical challenges of the rollout, noting that roughly 5,000 birds must be caught twice to receive the two-dose vaccine regimen. Phillip Island Nature Parks chief executive Catherine Basterfield stated that the park is privileged to lead the initiative, which aims to build disease preparedness knowledge nationally and internationally. Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins reported that the federal government has invested more than $113 million into overall bird flu preparedness, which includes nearly $2 million dedicated specifically to vaccines and trials.
National Impact on Agricultural Shows
The precautionary cancellations extend beyond Victoria, with the Royal Adelaide Show also calling off its bird competitions ahead of next month’s event due to identical avian influenza concerns, according to show officials. As agricultural societies grapple with unpredictable viral spread, producers must navigate mandatory lockdowns and heightened biosecurity protocols. Ryan Milgate, president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, indicated that the emergence of bird flu was anticipated by the agricultural sector, prompting widespread adoption of defensive management strategies across regional farming communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Melbourne Royal Show cancel poultry competitions?
Organisers cancelled the 2026 poultry exhibits as a precautionary measure to protect the health and wellbeing of the Victorian poultry community amid rising H5 bird flu cases around the country, according to executive general manager Hannah von Bibra.
Are there any H5 bird flu cases in domestic poultry?
No. According to event organisers and state authorities, there are currently no recorded detections of H5N1 in Australian poultry.
What other events have been affected by bird flu?
The Royal Adelaide Show has also cancelled its bird competitions ahead of next month’s event due to ongoing avian influenza concerns, according to official reports.
When will poultry return to the Melbourne Royal Show?
Show management stated they hope to welcome poultry exhibits and competitions back to the schedule for the 2027 event.
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