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Committee reviews county‑fair relief and vesicular stomatitis outbreak; department deploys emergency premium funds and movement restrictions
Summary
The Department of Agriculture described $692,000 in flexible premium funding sent to county fairs after many canceled events; state veterinarians reported confirmed vesicular stomatitis in Benton County and movement restrictions for seven counties to limit spread.
Wes Ward and Patrick Fisk updated the committee on county fair disruptions and the department's response. Because many fairs canceled carnivals and full programming, the legislature approved flexibility to use premium funds for awards and basic expenses; the department began sending roughly $692,000 to county and district fairs to help cover obligations such as utilities, rent and awards.
Patrick Fisk said 20 fairs had canceled entirely, 53 held livestock‑only events and 23 held modified fairs (no carnival). He said many fairs rely on gate receipts and carnival revenues and that fair boards sought immediate cash injections to survive prior to next year nd a possible legislative appropriation.
On animal disease, state veterinarian Dr. Randy Chick briefed members on an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VSV) traced to multiple states and confirmed in Arkansas. Dr. Chick said the disease primarily affects hoofed animals, has a typical course of six to 10 days, and is transmitted by biting flies and animal movement; human infections are uncommon but can cause flu‑like illness. State officials imposed movement restrictions and required five‑day veterinary certificates and move permits for animals leaving several affected counties to limit spread.
The committee received the updates and asked the department to continue outreach and monitoring; no committee appropriation was made at the hearing.
