Melbourne Royal Show cancels poultry exhibits due to H5 bird flu spread

The Melbourne Royal Show will not hold poultry exhibitions or competitions in 2026 due to the spread of H5N1 bird flu. The decision comes as the virus continues to spread across the state, with the Victorian government also deciding to vaccinate Phillip Island's population of wild penguins. What's next? The Melbourne Royal committee says it hopes to welcome birds back to the show in 2027. The Melbourne Royal Show has cancelled poultry competitions and exhibitions for 2026 in the wake of surging H5 bird flu cases around the country. The decision was made earlier today, and follows a state government announcement that Phillip Island's wild population of little penguins would be vaccinated against the disease. Melbourne Royal Show executive general manager Hannah von Bibra said the committee had been in consultation with Agriculture Victoria and the state's chief veterinary officer, with the health and wellbeing of all animals at the show being the number one priority. "Melbourne Royal is taking this precautionary step to protect the health and wellbeing of the Victorian poultry community," she said. "Whilst there are currently no detections of H5N1 in Australian poultry, the situation is not predictable and, as such, we want to give our community as much certainty as possible." Ms von Bibra said the show committee was appreciative of the time and effort exhibitors put into preparing for the show, and hoped to welcome poultry back in 2027. Concerns for the show were raised at the weekend, with a number of other poultry shows taking place across regional Victoria.