Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Subject: Ordinance for Keeping of Crowing Fowl As the President of the American Poultry Association (APA), North America�s oldest livestock organization (founded in 1873), I wish to speak in opposition to the subject ordinance. We believe that law enforcement and animal control agencies are supporting this ordinance with no regard to the impact it will have on local economies and local citizens pursuing a legitimate and enjoyable poultry exhibition interest. Proponents of the ordinance claim there has been a marked increase in the raising of fowl for fighting purposes and that similar ordinances enacted by other counties have helped curtail these activities. We have seen absolutely no indication or evidence that either claim is true. They are claiming that it will have a positive fiscal impact for the county since they will not have to expend resources responding to nuisance complaints. This is absurd since additional resources will be necessary to enforce this ordinance in addition to their nuisance complaints. The exhibition of poultry has been and continues to be a very popular hobby throughout North America. The APA sanctions over 260 poultry shows every year with about 10% held in the state of California. There are 12 poultry clubs throughout the state that are associate members of the APA and represent hundreds of breeders and exhibitors. In fact, this industry contributes greatly to the economy of Sacramento County and the state by supporting feed and supply stores and providing income to hotels, restaurants and associated retail activities that benefit from our poultry shows and activities. As an example, a weekend show hosted in Ventura in October 2008 drew 2700 entries and attendees from 22 states plus Canada and England. Our next shows, scheduled for Hollister and Stockton, California in January 2009 will provide similar boosts to the local economies. Exhibition poultry breeders routinely keep anywhere from fifty to many hundreds of birds for breeding purposes. A typical ratio would be one male or crowing fowl for every two or three females. Thus such an ordinance could have a significant impact on our exhibition industry. Just the fact that an annual permit will be required will discourage many people from joining in or continuing on with their pursuit. Cities and towns within Sacramento county and throughout the state have enacted their own ordinances concerning poultry and other livestock and this is as it should be. There is no need to burden those living in �the country� with these same restrictions. They choose to live there so they can pursue and enjoy their interests without the restrictions encountered in urban areas. We respectfully request, on behalf of the exhibition industry and our members in Sacramento County, that the Board not enact this ordinance. David L. Anderson President American Poultry Association