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 IAFE (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS)

CODE OF SHOW RING ETHICS

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 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 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 violative

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

indicates 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 substance 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 treatments 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 provides 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

absolutely 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 Expos and any special notices to members.

11) The act of entering of 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 Code of

Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited

by the code. It is further a 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.