Animal Health Requirements & Recommendations

ANIMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANIMALS FOR EXHIBITION, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL EXHIBITION

1. This document provides the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (Department) animal health requirements and recommendations for all animal exhibitions (shows) in the Commonwealth, including Pennsylvania county and community fairs. This document is divided into Requirements and Recommendations for both Pennsylvania animals and animals arriving from out of state for each species. The Requirements listed in this document are mandated by law. The legal basis for these recommendations can be found at the end of the document in Subchapter D. Recommendations are not legally mandated but are based on best practices and the scientific judgement of the state animal health officials. Fairs are strongly encouraged to adopt these recommendations. Fairs may impose more stringent rules than the requirements in this document at their own discretion. All exhibitors are encouraged to check with the management of each fair in advance to ensure compliance with all fair requirements. While this document is designed for organizations receiving funding through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act (act of July 8, 1986, P.L. 437, No. 92)(3 P.S. §§ 1501- 1510), this document serves as a reference for all animal exhibits as defined in the Animal Exhibition Sanitation Act (3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2501-2504). These requirements and recommendations are a shared responsibility of show management and exhibitors to protect public and animal health in the Commonwealth.

2. Important information regarding poultry exhibition cancellations: Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in the Commonwealth, a signed General Quarantine order went into effect on April 16th, 2022. The order, titled 52 Pa. B 2223 General Quarantine Order; Cancellation of Exhibition of Poultry and Their Hatching Eggs Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, prohibits the display, exhibit, or presence of poultry, poultry products, including eggs, poultry parts or any goods or items containing or made up of poultry products such as feathers, or poultry parts at any exhibitions or other such venues within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which receive funding pursuant to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act 3 P.S. § 1501 et seq.

5. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). This is an official document issued by a federal, state, tribal, or accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals identified on the document have been inspected and were found to satisfy the regulations pertaining to their intended movement—within the same state, between states, or internationally.

(a) CVIs are required for all swine, both from out-of-state and from in-state, and out-of-state camelids, cattle, cervids, equines, goats, sheep, and rabbits. For in-state camelids, cattle, cervids, equines, goats, sheep, and rabbits, these guidelines list a CVI as recommended. A CVI serves as verification of animal ID, an attestation of health, an attestation of a Veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR), and documentation of applicable vaccination and testing.

(b) The parameters for a CVI are included under the standards for veterinary accreditation, which are set by the USDA and are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which can be referenced at the following link: eCFR: 9 CFR 161.4 -- Standards for accredited veterinarian duties.

(i) Per the CFR, a veterinarian may write a CVI if they have examined an animal within the last 10 days (unless the veterinarian is doing qualifying regular herd/flock checks; see the CFR for details.)

(ii) Per the CFR, once a veterinarian issues a CVI, the CVI expires after 30 days.

(iii) A CVI should be written for only one destination. However, multiple CVIs (one for each destination) can be written within 10 days after the inspection/examination of the animals. (iv) CVIs issued by an accredited veterinarian are legal documents and shall only be issued if the animal is not showing clinical evidence compatible with the presence of a communicable disease upon inspection and/or examination.

(v) A copy of the CVI is provided to the owner, and the appropriate remaining CVI paper copies, regardless of if they are completed for interstate or intrastate movement, must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Health at 2301 N. Cameron St. Harrisburg, PA 17110. Alternatively, electronic CVIs may be used.

(c) An accredited veterinarian may not complete a CVI that does not meet USDA standards.

(d) A Veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) form may be used to verify animal ID and provide an attestation of a VCPR. VCPR forms do not have the 30-day expiration that is federally mandated for CVIs.

(e) All swine for exhibition must be accompanied by a CVI that was issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within the 30 days prior to the date of the animal exhibition.

6. Verification of Veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR): The Animal Exhibition Sanitation Law requires attestation that a VCPR exists for all animals to be exhibited. This attestation states that the owner or caretaker of the animal has assumed responsibility to consult a veterinarian and has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian in relation to animal diseases and implementing best management practices intended to reduce and prevent disease. This requirement can be fulfilled by any of the following means:

(a) A Veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) form with a veterinarian’s signature (see Subchapter D).

(b) A statement for the animal(s) being exhibited with a signature of the owner or caretaker on the fair registration form: “I attest and affirm that a “VCPR” exists with regard to any animals I will be exhibiting.” (This statement does not replace the Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement or a CVI where required).

(c) A valid CVI.

(d) For poultry and poultry products, this requirement may be fulfilled by the Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement (see Subchapter D).

The Bureau of Animal Health has created a NEW VCPR (Veterinary Client Patient Relationship) form for the 2024 fair and exhibition season.

a. This form is valid for a year from the date it is signed.

b. For Pennsylvania animals, it can replace (at the fair’s discretion) a CVI for all species EXCEPT swine or poultry. A fair is not required to use this form in place of a CVI for the approved species.

c. Animals cannot be added to this form throughout the year after it has been signed by the vet. If an exhibitor adds an animal to their show herd, a new VCPR must be filled out and signed listing all animals.

d. This form can be used for multiple shows/destinations throughout the show season, whereas a CVI MUST be written for a single show/destination in order to comply with federal veterinary guidelines.

e. All out-of-state animals must have a CVI.

PDA strongly recommends that animals returning home from fairs and shows be isolated from other members of the herd or flock for a minimum of three weeks to help prevent the spread of disease and recommends that exhibitors of all animals discuss the health of their animals, including vaccine recommendations, with a veterinarian on a regular basis. PDA also encourages animal and poultry owners to register their premises so they can be contacted in a disease emergency situation. Call 717-836-3235 to register a premises.

Cattle

Section 3: Pennsylvania Cattle:

Requirements:

1. The Bedford Fair requires a Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

2. Sexually intact cattle shall be identified by an official ear tag or other unique identification device approved by the Department.

Official identification includes any of the following:

(a) A USDA issued National Uniform Ear tagging System (NUES) tag .

(b) A 15-digit Animal Identification Number (AIN) ear tag starting with “840” .

3. ID requirements specific to the Farm Show Complex:

(a) All cattle entering the complex must be identified with a 15 digit 840 ISO-compliant RFID ear tag.

(b) The only exception to this will be for cattle who were identified using a 900 series 15-digit ISO-compliant tag placed before January 1, 2015. No other exceptions will be granted.

(c) A person exhibiting at the complex shall distinguish between 840 tags with RFID capabilities versus 840 tags that do not have those capabilities prior to placing identification in an animal that is to be exhibited.

II. Recommendations:

1. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this should be written on the CVI.

2. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian for animals 3 months of age and older (observe appropriate slaughter withdrawal time).

3. Rodeo: It is recommended that Pennsylvania-origin rodeo cattle of all ages be negative on an official tuberculin test within 60 days prior to the start of the fair unless they are members of and originate from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd. The cattle can be accompanied by the negative test report, or the tuberculosis test results can be recorded by the veterinarian on a CVI.

Section 4: Out of State Cattle:

I. Requirements:

1. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the date of importation.

2. Vesicular Stomatitis (VS): This applies to cattle entering Pennsylvania from states that experienced a Vesicular Stomatitis outbreak in the last 12 months. In these cases, an accredited veterinarian shall determine whether the animals are free from VS, and animals shall be accompanied by a CVI with the following statement signed by the accredited veterinarian: “All animals identified on this CVI have been examined and found to be free from VS. During the past 90 days, these animals have neither been exposed to VS nor were located within 10 miles of a site where VS has been diagnosed.”

3. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this is required on the CVI.

4. Federal regulation (USDA) requires individual official animal identification for all cattle of any age for exhibition. Acceptable animal identification includes any of the following:

(a) A USDA issued National Uniform Ear tagging System (NUES) tag .

(b) A 15-digit Animal Identification Number (AIN) ear tag starting with “840” .

(c) Brands registered with a recognized brand inspection authority and accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate, when agreed to by the shipping and receiving State or Tribal animal health authorities; or

(d) Tattoos and other identification methods acceptable to a breed association for registration purposes, accompanied by a breed registration certificate, when agreed to by the shipping and receiving State or/Tribal animal health authorities.

5. ID requirements specific to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex: All cattle entering the complex must be identified with a 15 digit 840 ISO-compliant RFID ear tag. The only exception to this will be for cattle who were identified using a 900 series 15-digit ISO-compliant tag placed before January 1, 2015. No other exceptions will be granted. A person exhibiting at the complex shall distinguish between 840 tags with RFID capabilities versus 840 tags that do not have those capabilities prior to placing identification in an animal that is to be exhibited.

6. Tuberculosis testing requirements:

(a) No test is required for animals originating from states or zones designated as accredited free by the USDA.

(b) All animals originating from states or zones designated modified accredited advanced by the USDA must be test negative within the 60 days prior to the date of importation. The negative test results and dates of tests must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (a copy of the original report is acceptable).

(c) All animals originating from states or zones designated modified accredited by the USDA must originate from herds in which all animals 12 months of age and older are test negative within the 12 months prior to the date of importation and the individual animals (all ages) to be imported are also test negative within the 60 days prior to the date of importation and at least 60 days after the negative whole herd test was completed. The negative test results and date of test must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (a copy of the original test report is acceptable).

(d) All cattle shall comply with the Department’s “Interstate Order of Quarantine; Tuberculosis Testing Requirements for Importation of Cattle, Bison, Goats or Camelids” [49 Pa.B. 709, Saturday, February 16, 2019).

(e) Special Tuberculosis Test requirement for Rodeo Cattle. All rodeo cattle and bison from out of state shall be negative on an official tuberculosis test within 60 days prior to entering Pennsylvania unless they originate from and are members of an Accredited Tuberculosis-free herd within an accredited Tuberculosis-free state or zone. This requirement for rodeo cattle from out-of-state is in addition to all other requirements listed above for out-of-state cattle.

7. Rabies vaccination requirements: See rabies vaccination requirements in the General section for animals exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.

II. Recommendations:

1. While tattoos and brands are acceptable, NUES tags or 840 AIN tags are preferred.

2. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian is recommended for animals 3 months of age and older (observe appropriate slaughter withdrawal time).

Dairy Beef

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

2. Calves are required to be vaccinated against IBR, PI3, BRSV, and BVD using one dose of modified live vaccine or two doses of killed vaccine. (Examples: Bovishield and Pyramid).

3. It is recommended that calves be given a rabies vaccination.

4. If your steer has symptoms of ringworm within 4 weeks of Fair, you should have your animal treated by a veterinarian and a statement of date/treatment.

All members are responsible for health requirements to add value of animals for the buyer.

Equine

Section 9: Pennsylvania Equine Animals:

I. Requirements:

1. The Department of Agriculture has no specific requirements for Pennsylvania equines at fairs. However, fair management has the authority to impose requirements designed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

2. See rabies vaccination requirements in the General section for animals exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.

II. Recommendations:

1. A current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) (valid for 30 days after the date of issue). A current VCPR Form may also be used to verify animal ID.

2. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this should be written on the CVI.

3. It is recommended that all equine animals be test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) by an official test within the 12 months prior to the opening date of the exhibition. Laboratory test results should accompany each animal to its final destination (a copy of the original lab report is acceptable). The CVI shall specify the date of sample collection and EIA test results. Foals less than six months of age accompanied by a test-negative dam are exempt from EIA testing recommendations. If the foal is not accompanied by the dam, a copy of the dam’s test results must accompany the foal to its final destination.

4. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian for animals 3 months of age and older. The name of the product used, date of administration and veterinarian administering the rabies vaccination should appear on the CVI or on a rabies vaccination certificate and this information should correlate to a written description of the horse, and any and all forms of identification associated with the horse, such as tattoos, brands, or microchips.

5. Permanent identification, including a microchip, tattoo, or brand.

Section 10: Out of State Equine Animals:

I. Requirements:

1. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the date of importation. Please Note: Extended Equine Certificates of Veterinary Inspection and Interstate Equine Event Permits will not be accepted. Brand Certificates will not be accepted as Certificates of Veterinary Inspection.

2. Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) statement: This applies to horses entering Pennsylvania from states that experienced a Vesicular Stomatitis outbreak in the last 12 months. In these cases an accredited veterinarian shall determine whether the animals are free from VS, and

animals shall be accompanied by a CVI with the following statement signed by the accredited veterinarian: “All animals identified on this CVI have been examined and found to be free from VS. During the past 90 days, these animals were not located within 10 miles of a site where VS has been diagnosed.”

3. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this is required on the CVI.

4. All equine animals must be test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) by an official test within the 12 months prior to the date of importation. Laboratory test results must accompany each animal to its final destination (a copy of the original lab report is acceptable). The CVI shall specify the date of sample collection and EIA test results. Foals under six months of age accompanied by a dam with negative EIA official test results are exempt from EIA testing requirements. If the foal is not accompanied by the dam, a copy of the dam’s test results must accompany the foal to its final destination.

5. If an equine animal has resided in Texas or New Mexico for a cumulative total of 30 days or more within the six months preceding the date of entry into the Commonwealth, that animal must be test-negative for Babesia caballi and Theilleria equi on a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) test, or a Department-approved equivalent test, with the test occurring within the 30 days preceding entry into Pennsylvania. The date of test and the test results shall be written on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

6. See rabies vaccination requirements in the General section for animals exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.

II. Recommendations:

1. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian for animals 3 months of age and older. The name of the product used, date of administration and veterinarian administering the rabies vaccination should appear on the CVI or on a rabies vaccination certificate and this information should correlate to a written description of the horse, and any and all forms of identification associated with the horse- such as tattoos, brands, or microchips.

2. Permanent identification, including a microchip, tattoo, or brand.

Goats

Section 11: Pennsylvania Goats:

Requirements:

A Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

1. Individual official animal identification is required for all goats. Official ID includes:

▪ A USDA ear tag with a US shield ; which includes scrapie program tags (animals bearing identification with blue colored scrapie program tags are not permitted be exhibited in Pennsylvania- please call the department at 717-783-6851 if such a tag is encountered).or

▪ A legible tattoo with herd and individual identification recognized in an approved USDA Scrapie database a.k.a. scrapie tattoo (flock ID in the right ear--state postal code and letters/numbers--and individual animal ID in the left ear); or

▪ A breed registration tattoo if the animal is accompanied by a registration certificate and the tattoo is legible.

▪ Identification used for sheep and goats must be permanently affixed to the individual animal.

2. For post-exhibition sales the following requirements apply:

a. Market goats must be documented on sales slips which contain the following information:

▪ Official identification (as described above)

▪ Sale date

▪ Sale location

▪ Name, address and phone number of the exhibitor

▪ Hauler contact information

▪ Destination name and contact information

▪ Total number of animals in the shipment

▪ Type of goat (i.e. meat, dairy, specific breed)

▪ Signature of consignee, agent, or hauler

Those slips or a document capturing all of the above must follow the goat to their final destination (including slaughter facilities)

b. Goats which are purchased with the intent of breeding and are traveling via interstate movement must have an interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) prior to movement to the destination state.

c. A copy of the sale records slips as delineated above and a copy of any ICVIs (in b. above) must be kept by the sale organizer/extension for 5 years.

ID requirements specific to the Farm Show complex: Market goats entering the complex must be identified with a 15 digit 840 iso compliant RFID ear tag. This can be in addition to the forms of Id listed above so long as only one 840 ID is used. No exceptions will be granted. If you wish to exhibit at the complex please distinguish between 840 tags with RFID capabilities versus 840 tags that do not have those capabilities prior to placing identification in your animal.

Recommendations:

1. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this should be written on the CVI.

Section 12: Out of State Goats

Requirements:

1. A Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

2. Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) statement: This applies to states that experienced a VS outbreak in the last 12 months. In these cases an accredited veterinarian shall determine whether the animals are free from VS, and animals shall be accompanied by a CVI with the following statement signed by the accredited veterinarian: “All animals identified on this CVI have been examined and found to be free from VS. During the past 90 days, these animals were not located within 10 miles of a site where VS has been diagnosed.”

3. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this is required on the CVI.

4. Individual official animal identification is required for all goats. Official ID includes:

a. A USDA ear tag with a US shield ; which includes scrapie program tags (animals bearing identification with blue colored scrapie program tags are not permitted be exhibited in Pennsylvania- please call the department at 717-783-6851 if such a tag is encountered). or

b. A legible tattoo with herd and individual identification recognized in an approved USDA Scrapie database a.k.a. scrapie tattoo (flock ID in the right ear--state postal code and letters/numbers--and individual animal ID in the left ear); or

c. A breed registration tattoo if the animal is accompanied by a registration certificate and the tattoo is legible.

d. Identification used for sheep and goats must be permanently affixed to the individual animal.

• Tuberculosis testing requirements:

▪ No test is required for animals originating from states or zones designated as accredited-free by the USDA.

▪ All animals originating from states or zones designated modified accredited advanced by the USDA must be test negative within the 60 days prior to the date of importation. The negative test results and date of test must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (a copy of the original report is acceptable).

▪ All animals originating from states or zones designated modified accredited must originate from herds in which all animals 12 months of age and older have tested negative within the 12 months prior to the date of importation; and the individual animals (all ages) to be imported have also tested negative within the 60 days prior to the date of importation and at least 60 days after the negative whole herd test was completed. The negative test results and date of test must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (a copy of the original test report is acceptable).

5. For post-exhibition sales the following requirements apply:

a. Market goats must be documented on sales slips which contain the following information

•Official identification (as described above)

•Sale date

•Sale location

•Name, address and phone number of the exhibitor

•Hauler contact information

•Destination name and contact information

•Total number of animals in the shipment

•Type of goat (i.e. meat, dairy, specific breed)

•Signature of consignee, agent, or hauler

Those slips or a document capturing all of the above must follow the goats to their destination (including slaughter facilities)

b. Goats which are purchased with the intent of breeding and are traveling via interstate movement must have an interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection(ICVI) prior to movement to the destination state.

c. A copy of the sale records slips as delineated above and a copy of any CVIs (in b. above) must be kept by the sale organizer/extension for 5years.

• ID requirements specific to the Farm Show complex: Market goats entering the complex must be identified with a 15 digit 840 iso compliant RFID ear tag. This can be in addition to the forms of ID listed above so long as only one 840 ID is used. No exceptions will be granted. If you wish to exhibit at the complex please distinguish between 840 tags with RFID capabilities versus 840 tags that do not have those capabilities prior to placing identification in your animal.

Recommendations:

All out of state goats must meet all criteria listed above as “requirements”. PDA has no additional recommendations to prevent the introduction of contagious disease from out of state goats.

Poultry

Section 13: Pennsylvania Poultry

Requirements:

Exhibition Market Poultry:

• Market poultry ONLY – birds must move to a USDA or PA Dept. of Agriculture

licensed slaughter facility after judging. This is an all-in, all-out procedure where NO

birds may return home.

• Market poultry must be on and off the grounds within 72 hours, starting from when the

first bird arrives until the last bird leaves. Birds may NOT stay on the grounds for the

duration of the entire fair if they will be present longer than 72 hours.

• Exhibition of poultry shall require a PDA issued “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” (provided on the Department’s website). If a CVI is required for entry by the fair, an endorsement of biosecurity on the “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” shall also accompany the poultry.

• All birds must be monitored for signs of illness while on the grounds, however there is not a specific training for this like the Swine Health Monitor Training. Fairs are encouraged to refer to the Biosecurity Guidelines for Exhibition Managers.

• All birds must be behind barriers with signage to prevent public interaction with birds.

• All market poultry must be confirmed free of HPAI prior to entry to the exhibition. This requires a negative HPAI test on record within 14 days of the exhibition.

*Test samples must be collected by a Certified Poultry Technician or a Category II Accredited Veterinarian and processed at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network lab (this includes all 3 PADLS labs).

* Test results must accompany the poultry to the show.

* No new birds may be added to a clean tested flock prior to the show.

* Additional details on testing requirements can be found on pages 5-6 of the Quarantine Order and MUST be followed.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

• NO market poultry or poultry products may be exhibited within an active HPAI Control

Area or Surveillance Zone. These areas or zones can pop up when a flock tests positive for HPAI at any time.

• This means that market poultry and poultry product exhibition can be canceled at a

moment’s notice for an indefinite amount of time until the control area and/or

surveillance zone is cleared. Please proceed with this in mind and have a plan ready should this occur.

Exhibition of Poultry: The following standards apply to the exhibition of poultry at a Venue or Fair under this exception.

1. All poultry entering an exhibition must bear an official Department issued leg band. Ratites must be identified with a neck band or an electronic implant device (the exhibitor must supply a reader).

2. Poultry may be exhibited only if they will be moved immediately after judging directly from the Venue or Fair to a licensed slaughter facility.

3. All poultry exhibited in Pennsylvania at Department sponsored or funded exhibitions shall move as all-in and all-out directly to a Department or USDA licensed slaughter facility following the animal exhibition and may not be diverted to premises other than a licensed slaughter facility.

4. Arrival, exhibition and departure of the poultry shall occur within a 72-hour window. The 72 hours begin when the first poultry arrive on the Venue or Fair grounds, whether unloaded or not, and ends when the last poultry physically leave the Venue or Fair grounds in a vehicle or conveyance.

5. Exhibition of poultry shall require Department issued “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” which will be provided by the Department. If a CVI is provided for entry, endorsement of biosecurity on the “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” shall also accompany the poultry.

6. All poultry on the Venue or Fair grounds shall be monitored for signs of illness, and any signs of illness shall be reported to the Department immediately (717-772-2852).

7. All poultry on the Venue or Fair grounds shall be displayed behind barriers such as ropes to prevent public access to the poultry, with signage to prevent the public from crossing the barrier.

8. Conveyances shall be cleaned and disinfected before loading to transport poultry to the Venue or Fair, and after returning to the premises of origin, and shall meet the requirements imposed by the Department’s ''Interstate and General Quarantine Order; Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Vehicle, Container and Material Standards'' (45 Pa.B. 4930, Saturday, August 22, 2015).

9. Avian Influenza Testing and Verification: Avian influenza testing and verification shall meet the following requirements.

* All samples shall be collected by a Certified Poultry Technician or a Category II Accredited Veterinarian and shall be tested in a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.

* All poultry shall originate from a flock in which a random, representative sample of a minimum of 30 birds, 3 weeks of age or older, were tested for avian influenza within the 14 days prior to opening date of the exhibition.

* For chickens, turkeys, game birds, and ratites, blood samples (AGID testing) or tracheal or oropharyngeal swab samples (PCR testing) are acceptable samples. Samples from more than one species may not be combined in the same tube for testing.

* The poultry, in addition to the documentation required in subparagraph c.v. of this Order, shall be accompanied by the most recent test report (copy acceptable). Test results must be negative or the poultry may not be shipped to, accepted by or unloaded at the Venue or Fair, and upon arrival at the Venue or Fair must be immediately denied entry and sent back to the premises of origin or quarantined until a Department or USDA veterinarian can inspect the poultry. All non-negative test results shall be reported to the Department immediately.

* If there are fewer than 30 birds in the poultry flock, all birds of age in that flock shall be tested.

* Untested poultry shall not be comingled with or added to the tested flock after negative samples have been collected and may not be added to the poultry that are shipped to the Venue or Fair.

* Sample collectors and testers must maintain records of animal identification, testing records, any other records required by the Domestic Animal Law and any Order issued by the Department for a minimum of two years and must make such records available to the Department upon request.

10. National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) protocols for sample collection, including the number of swabs or tubes of viral transport media, and testing shall be followed. All samples must be tested at a NAHLN laboratory.

General Quarantine Order

Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement

Rabbits

Section 15: Pennsylvania Rabbits:

Requirements:

1. All animals must be free of infectious and contagious diseases.

2. The following Animal Owner or Caretaker‘s Verification of Veterinary Consultation Relationship statement for the animals being exhibited must be included with a signature line for the owner or caretaker on the fair registration form: “I attest and affirm that a “veterinarian consultation relationship” – as that phrase is defined in the Animal Exhibition Sanitation Law found at 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 2501 et seq. and any amendments thereto – “exists with regard to any animals I will be exhibiting.” The name and phone number of the consulting veterinarian must be included on the entry form.

Recommendations:

1. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). It is highly recommended that fairs and exhibitions ask that each exhibited rabbit be listed on an intrastate CVI written within 14 days of entrance. The Certificate of Veterinary inspection shall be written by an accredited Veterinarian and contain the following statements:

“ All Rabbits in the shipment have been examined for and found free of infectious, contagious or communicable diseases including RHDV-2 and there have not been multiple mortality events or rabbits exhibiting hemorrhages within the last 90 days. The rabbits in this shipment have not been housed or exhibited with any rabbits associated with known mass mortality or hemorrhage events”

“In the last 90 days, the rabbits in this shipment, have not been exhibited in, housed in, or traveled to, any state or territory in which RHDV-2 has been diagnosed within the last 12 months. In addition, during the last 90 days, they have had no contact with any captive or wild rabbit originating from or travelled to one of those affected states or territories.”

Please note: vaccination of Pennsylvania origin rabbits should not exempt the participant from having to adhere to and attest to the above statements on the CVI.

Requirements:

The Department of Agriculture has no specific requirements for Pennsylvania rabbits at fairs. However, fair management has the authority to impose requirements designed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. While on exhibit, report all mass mortality events and all rabbits who are ill and bleeding from eyes, nose, mouth, or have bloody stools to the department emergency line 717-772-2852 option 1. We need your help to quickly identify and stop dangerous transmissible diseases such as RHDV-2.

Sheep

Section 17: Pennsylvania Sheep:

Requirements:

1. A Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

2. Individual official animal identification is required for all sheep. Official ID includes:

• A USDA ear tag with a US shield ; which includes scrapie program tags (animals bearing identification with blue colored scrapie program tags are not permitted be exhibited in Pennsylvania- please call the department at 717-783-6851 if such a tag is encountered).or

• A legible tattoo with herd and individual identification recognized in an approved USDA Scrapie database a.k.a. scrapie tattoo (flock ID in the right ear--state postal code and letters/numbers-- and individual animal ID in the left ear); or

• A breed registration tattoo if the animals are accompanied by a registration certificate (copy acceptable) and the tattoo is legible.

• Identification used for sheep and goats must be permanently affixed to the individual animal.

3. For post-exhibition sales the following requirements apply:

a. Market sheep must be documented on sales slips which contain the following information:

• Official identification (as described above)

• Sale date

• Sale location

• Name, address and phone number of the exhibitor

• Hauler contact information

• Destination name and contact information

• Total number of animals in the shipment

• Type of sheep (i.e. meat, wool, specific breed)

• Signature of consignee, agent, or hauler

Those slips or a document capturing all of the above must follow the sheep to their destination (including slaughter facilities)

b. Sheep which are purchased with the intent of breeding and are traveling via interstate movement must have an interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection(ICVI) prior to movement to the destination state.

c. A copy of the sale records slips as delineated above and a copy of any ICVIs (in b. above) must be kept by the sale organizer/extension for 5 years.

Recommendations:

1. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this should be written on the CVI.

2. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian for animals 3 months of age and older (observe appropriate slaughter withdraw time). Sheep consigned as market animals for slaughter may be exempt from this recommendation.

Section 18: Out of State Sheep:

Requirements:

1. A Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) issued within the 30 days prior to the opening date of the exhibition is required.

2. Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Statement: This applies to states that experienced a VS outbreak in the last 12 months. In these cases an accredited veterinarian shall determine whether the animals are free from VS, and animals shall be accompanied by a CVI with the following statement signed by the accredited veterinarian: “All animals identified on this CVI have been examined and found to be free from VS. During the past 90 days, these animals were not located within 10 miles of a site where VS has been diagnosed.”

3. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this is required on the CVI.

4. Individual official USDA scrapie animal identification is required. Official scrapie ID includes:

•A USDA ear tag with a US shield which includes scrapie program tags(animals bearing identification with blue colored scrapie program tags are not permitted be exhibited in Pennsylvania- please call the department at 717-783-6851 if such a tag is encountered).

or

• A legible tattoo with herd and individual identification recognized in an approved USDA Scrapie database a.k.a. scrapie tattoo (flock ID in the right ear--state postal code and letters/numbers--and individual animal ID in the left ear);

or

•A breed registration tattoo if the animals are accompanied by a registration certificate (copy acceptable) and the tattoo is legible.

5. For post-exhibition sales the following requirements apply:

a. Market sheep must be documented on sales slips which contain the following information:

•Official identification (as described above)

•Sale date

•Sale location

•Name, address and phone number of the exhibitor

•Hauler contact information

•Destination name and contact information

•Total number of animals in the shipment

•Type of sheep (i.e. meat, wool, specific breed)

•Signature of consignee, agent, or hauler

Those slips or a document capturing all of the above must follow the sheep to their destination (including slaughter facilities)

b. Sheep which are purchased with the intent of breeding and are traveling via interstate movement must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) prior to movement to the destination state.

c. A copy of the sale records slips as delineated above and a copy of any ICVIs (in b. above) must be kept by the sale organizer/extension for 5 years.

Please see rabies requirements for exhibition of sheep at the Farm show complex in the general section

Recommendations:

1. A current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian for animals 3months of age and older (observe appropriate slaughter withdraw time).Sheep consigned as market animals for slaughter may be exempt from this recommendation.

Swine

Section 19: Pennsylvania Swine:

Requirements:

1. No swine species shall be exhibited in Pennsylvania unless each animal:

▪Is accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days of the exhibition;

▪Is permanently identified by an official 840 series radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tag and the ear tag number is recorded on the CVI;

▪Has been visually inspected and found to be free of signs of contagious disease immediately prior to unloading at the exhibition by an accredited veterinarian or swine health monitor appointed by the fair board or livestock show committee.

▪Swine health monitors appointed by fairs or show/event organizers must undergo annual online training which can be found at the following link: Pennsylvania Show and Fair Swine Health Monitor Training (psu.edu) or the following site Extension.psu.edu/Pennsylvania-show-and-fair-swine-health-monitor-training.

-Swine health monitors must provide a current completion certificate to the fair or show staff they will be performing monitoring services for, prior to the start of the event.

2. All breeding swine exhibitions are to occur prior to the arrival of any market swine:

a. Breeding swine must be removed from the animal exhibition premises prior to any market swine arriving.

b. Breeding swine animal exhibitions shall arrive, exhibit, and depart in a period no greater than 72 hours. Time begins when the first swine arrives physically on the fairgrounds whether unloaded from a trailer or not and ends when the last hog physically leaves the premises on a trailer.

c. Swine birthing exhibitions and educational displays which are not competing may occur concurrently with market swine animal exhibition, as long as, reasonable precaution is made to ensure the biosecurity of the swine birthing exhibition or educational display.

3. All market swine exhibited in Department sponsored market shows shall move as all in and all out directly to a PDA or USDA licensed slaughter facility following the animal exhibition and may not be diverted to premises other than a recognized slaughter establishment or a slaughter market in which the sales are designated slaughter only sales.

4. Non-PDA sponsored shows including jackpot shows and 4-H round-ups, not occurring during a PDA sponsored fair or show are exempt from the terminal slaughter requirement only if the following conditions are adhered to:

a. As is stated above, the swine shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within 14 days of the exhibition and shall be permanently identified by an 840 series radio frequency (RFID) identification ear tag.

b. Arrival, exhibition and departure of the swine occur within a 72-hour window. Time begins when the first swine arrives physically on the exhibition grounds, whether unloaded from a trailer or not, and ends when the last hog physically leaves the premises on a trailer.

c. There is no public access to the animals other than observation during competitions.

d. An Accredited Veterinarian or trained swine health monitor visually inspects the animals prior to unloading, and they are found to be free of signs of contagious disease.

e. An accredited Veterinarian or trained swine health monitor shall monitor and record the health of the pigs daily for signs of contagious disease and the accredited Veterinarian shall immediately report all suspicious disease to the State Animal Health Official.

f. A Veterinary-client-patient-relationship is established between the show committee/management staff and an accredited Veterinarian, and that Veterinarian is readily available for health monitoring, emergency coverage, treatment, follow up evaluation, and prompt reporting of suspicious disease to the State Animal Health Official.