New York State Bans Poultry Auctions To Curtail Spread of Avian Flu

But chicken farmer says decision will destroy her small business despite its carefully monitored flock

Land is prepared for the disposal of nearly 3 million chickens after avian influenza was recently discovered at a commercial egg operation on March 24, 2022 near Palmyra, Wisconsin. To control the spread of the virus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has mandated testing of all poultry in a control area established around the infected farm before the birds or eggs can be sold or transported. Scott Olson/Getty Images

New York State has banned the sale of poultry at auctions and swap meets in an effort to contain the spread of avian flu that has resulted in the loss of 10,000 birds so far.

On April 15, the state’s department of agriculture and markets issued an order to ban all fowl auctions and “other events for the purchase, sale, swap or trade of fowl” to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in its poultry population.