The Dangerous Precedent of CDFA’s Ban on Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions

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Posted on 01/10/2025 6:22:51 AM PST by george76

Here we go...again..

Here we go again.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has imposed a sweeping ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions, this time citing fears of H5N1 avian influenza. If this feels like déjà vu, that’s because we’ve seen this playbook before.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government shut down businesses it arbitrarily deemed “nonessential,” crippling livelihoods and communities under the guise of public safety.

Now, they are targeting farmers, youth organizations, and small-scale agricultural exhibitors.

...

This isn’t just about bird flu—it’s about a growing pattern of overreach where freedom is sacrificed for an illusion of security. We’re watching a replay, folks, and as Benjamin Franklin once warned, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” It’s time to stand up and challenge this dangerous precedent.

Unproven Claims and Flawed Justifications

The CDFA’s decision hinges on the claim that exhibitions significantly contribute to the spread of H5N1. However, the data fails to substantiate this assertion. Avian influenza is overwhelmingly spread by wild birds, not through the controlled environments of exhibitions. In fact, exhibitors typically maintain high biosecurity standards, such as pre-show health inspections, strict isolation protocols, and vaccination records, far exceeding those of non-exhibition environments. Without direct evidence linking exhibitions to the outbreak, the ban appears to be a reactive and unjustified measure rather than a targeted or effective solution.

Punishing Small Farmers and Communities

This policy disproportionately targets small-scale farmers, youth organizations like 4-H, and backyard poultry keepers who rely on fairs and exhibitions to showcase their animals, educate the public, and sustain their livelihoods. By contrast, large commercial operations remain relatively unaffected.

The ban undermines the economic viability of small farmers and erodes agricultural education and community-building efforts. Fairs and livestock shows are crucial spaces where future generations learn about farming practices, animal husbandry, and food production. By shutting down these events, the CDFA harms today’s farmers and discourages tomorrow’s.

These steps could effectively mitigate risk while preserving the rights of farmers and exhibitors. Instead, the CDFA has chosen the path of least resistance—one that tramples individual freedoms under a blanket policy.

Economic Devastation and Community Loss

The economic impact of this decision cannot be overstated. Rural economies depend on fairs and exhibitions as a source of income for farmers and local businesses that rely on tourism and event-related spending. Vendors, organizers, and service providers are all collateral damage in this poorly conceived policy.

Equally troubling is the loss of community. Livestock shows and agricultural fairs are more than just economic drivers—they are cultural touchstones. These events foster connections, educate the public, and strengthen ties between rural and urban communities. The CDFA’s ban threatens to erode these bonds, leaving a void that cannot easily be filled.

A Dangerous Precedent of Overreach

This policy concerns more than one disease or industry. It represents a broader pattern of government overreach, in which fear is used to justify stripping individuals of their rights. If we allow the CDFA to dictate when and where animals can be shown without evidence or consultation, what freedoms will be taken next?

The government’s role is to protect rights, not curtail them. The Constitution guarantees property rights, freedom of assembly, and due process—rights undermined by this policy. It is not the role of the government to treat farmers and exhibitors as scapegoats for a problem they did not cause.

This ban must be rescinded immediately. Farmers, exhibitors, and agricultural advocates must hold the CDFA accountable for its unjustified and unconstitutional actions. The agency must implement reasonable, evidence-based alternatives that balance public safety with individual rights and the agricultural community's needs.

Let us remember Franklin’s warning and refuse to surrender our liberty for an illusion of safety. The health of California’s agricultural sector—and the rights of its people—depends on it. The fight to protect freedom, property, and community must continue because once liberty is sacrificed, it is rarely regained.

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1 posted on 01/10/2025 6:22:51 AM PST by george76

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