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Exhibitors of
animals at livestock shows shall at all times deport themselves with
honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in this competitive
environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and
dignity to promote the advancement of agricultural education. This code
applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in
structured classes of competition. This code applies to all livestock
offered in any event at a livestock show. In addition to the ―IAFE
National Code of Show Ring Ethics,‖ fairs and livestock shows may
have rules and regulations, which they impose, on the local, county,
state, provincial and national levels.
All youth leaders working with junior
exhibitors are under an affirmative responsibility to do more than avoid
improper conduct or questionable acts. Their moral values must be so
certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be
influenced by their fine example. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers
and/or absolutely responsible persons who violate the code of ethics
will forfeit premiums, awards and auction proceeds and shall be
prohibited from future exhibition in accordance with the rules adopted
by the respective fairs and livestock shows. Exhibitors who violate this
code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and
should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows in the
United States and Canada.
The following is a list of guidelines
for all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events:
1. All exhibitors must present, upon
request of fair and livestock show officials, proof of ownership, length
of ownership and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of
ownership, age or any facts relating thereto is prohibited.
2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters,
trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health
certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or
livestock show officials.
3. Junior exhibitors are expected to
care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock shows.
4. Animals shall be presented to show
events where they will enter the food chain free of volatile drug
residues. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the
giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or
absolutely responsible person for show management to obtain any
specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animal
to be used in testing. Animals not entered in an event which culminates
with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs
other than in accordance with applicable federal, state and provincial
statutes, regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if the
drugs administered in accordance with federal, state and provincial
statutes, regulations and rules affect the animal‘s performance or
appearance at the event. If the laboratory report on the analysis of
saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicated the
presence of forbidden drugs or medication, this shall be prima facie
evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either
internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine,
saliva, blood, or other substances tested by the laboratory to which it
is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is
preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation,
transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample are correct and
accurate and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the
sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflects the
condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the
burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely
responsible person to prove otherwise. At any time after an animal
arrives on the fair or livestock show premises, all treatment involving
the use of drugs and/or medications for the sole purpose of protecting
the health of the animal shall be administered by a licensed
veterinarian.
5. Any surgical procedure or injection
of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any
substance (irritant, counterirritant, or similar substance) which could
affect the animal‘s performance or alter its natural contour,
confirmation, or appearance, except external applications of substances
to the hoofs or horns of animals which affect appearance only and except
for surgical procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for
the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited.
6. The use of showing and/or handling
practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using
electrical contrivance, or other similar practices are not acceptable
and are prohibited.
7. Direct criticism or interference
with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors,
breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the
competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official
duty, all judges, fair and livestock show management, or other show
officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect and no
person shall direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them.
8. No owner, exhibitor, fitter,
trainer, or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another
person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or
knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either
by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics.
Violation of this rule shall subject such individual to disciplinary
action.
9. The application of this code of
ethics provided for absolute responsibility for an animal‘s condition
by an owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or participant whether or not he
or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the
treatment of the animal in contravention of this code of ethics.
10. The act of entering an animal is
the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or
absolute responsible person to have disciplinary action taken by the
fair or livestock show for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics
and any other rules of competition of the fair or livestock show without
recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an
animal is the giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary
action taken by the fair or livestock show may be published with the
name of the violator or violators in any publication of the
International Association of Fairs and Expositions, including Fairs and
Expositions and any special notices to members.
11. The act of entering an animal in a
fair or livestock show is the giving of verification by the owner,
exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person that he or
she has read the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands
the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the
code. It is further consent that any action, which contravenes these
rules and is also in violation of federal, state, or provincial
statutes, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law
enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.
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