Tennessee Fair Health Requirements for Livestock
- Effective March 4th, 2021 -

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DIVISION OF CONSUMER & INDUSTRY SERVICES:
ANIMAL HEALTH

Charles Hatcher, D.V.M - Commissioner

SUMMARY:  LIVESTOCK HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS

I - GENERAL:

A.  All stalls, pens, chutes, etc. located on the grounds of fairs and exhibitions shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a disinfectant approved by USDA, APHIS between each scheduled fair or exhibition.

B. All livestock (except poultry and equine) which enter fairs and exhibitions shall be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate with individual permanent identification. Certificates for this purpose shall be valid for ninety (90) days from date of issue. (Tennessee livestock only – out-of-state certificates are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issue)

C. No animal showing clinical signs of infectious or communicable disease shall be allowed to enter or remain on premises of fairs or exhibitions. It shall be the responsibility of the manager of each event to assure prompt removal of such animals.



II - LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ORIGINATING WITHIN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE [Certificates of Veterinary Inspection Valid for a Period of Ninety (90) Days]

A.  SWINE:
All swine which enter fairs and exhibitions shall be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate with individual permanent identification or sufficient description to identify each animal.

B.   CATTLE:
All cattle which enter fairs and exhibitions shall be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate with individual permanent, official identification.

C.    POULTRY:
(1)  Sponsors of poultry shows or exhibitions shall notify the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at least thirty (30) days prior to show or exhibition.

(2)  Poultry found not to be in apparent good health shall be removed immediately from any show or exhibition.

D.     HORSES & OTHER EQUIDAE:
Horses and other Equidae six (6) months of age and older must have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the preceding twelve (12) months.

E.     SHEEP
(1) All sheep imported into or through Tennessee shall be accompanied by an official health certificate and be in compliance with 0080-2-1-.02, and Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

(2) All sheep that move within the state, with the exception of wethers under the age of 18 months that are produced for slaughter only, including for change of ownership, shows, fairs, expositions or slaughter shall be permanently, individually identified by a method approved in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

F.   GOATS
(1) Goats imported into or through Tennessee shall be accompanied by an official health certificate and be in compliance with 0080-2-1-.02, and Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

(2) Goats imported into Tennessee for immediate slaughter to an approved slaughter establishment or to an approved livestock market for sale to a slaughter establishment shall only be required to have a transportation document and be in compliance with Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

(3) All registered breeding goats, goats that have been commingled with sheep, goats for exhibition and dairy goats that move within the state, including for change of ownership, shows, fairs, expositions or slaughter shall be permanently, individually identified by a method approved in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

G. CAMELIDS: Camelids must have an official veterinary health certificate as provided in Rule 0080-2-3-.01 (1).       

H. CAPTIVE CERVIDAE:  Captive Cervidae must have an official veterinary health certificate as provided in Rule 0080-2-3-.01 (1).
                


III -  LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ORIGINATING OUTSIDE THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
Livestock and Poultry entering fairs and exhibitions from areas outside the State of Tennessee shall be subject to current Tennessee import requirements.  Please contact the state veterinarian’s office regarding questions or recent changes to these rules.

These interstate requirements are summarized as follows:

A.  ALL SPECIES (except poultry)
Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection valid for thirty (30) days and individual permanent official identification, except for equine.  Equine must have sufficient description to identify the animal.

B.  CATTLE
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and additional requirements as follows:
(1)  Tuberculosis:  No requirements except for cattle originating from regions not considered free of tuberculosis.

(2)  Brucellosis:  No requirements except for cattle originating from regions not considered free of brucellosis.  Test eligible cattle – Intact male or female cattle eighteen (18) months or older.  (Vaccinates and non-vaccinates)

C.   SWINE
No testing requirements for swine unless originating from a region not considered free of Brucellosis and Pseudorabies.

D.  HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES
Animals six (6) months of age or older - negative equine infectious anemia (Swamp Fever) test within twelve (12) months.

E.  POULTRY
Originate directly from a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean Flock and an H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean Flock or be accompanied by evidence of a negative Pullorum-Typhoid test within ninety (90) days and a negative Avian Influenza test within twenty-one (21) days.


F. SHEEP
(1)  All sheep imported into or through Tennessee shall be accompanied by an official health certificate and be in compliance with 0080-2-1-.02, and Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.
(2)  All sheep that move within the state, including for change of ownership, shows, fairs, expositions or slaughter shall be permanently, individually identified by a method approved in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

G. GOATS
(1)  Goats imported into or through Tennessee shall be accompanied by an official health certificate and be in compliance with 0080-2-1-.02, and Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.
(2)  Goats imported into Tennessee for immediate slaughter to an approved slaughter establishment or to an approved livestock market for sale to a slaughter establishment shall only be required to have a transportation document and be in compliance with Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.
(3) All registered breeding goats, goats that have been commingled with sheep, goats for exhibition and dairy goats that move within the state, including for change of ownership, shows, fairs, expositions or slaughter shall be permanently, individually identified by a method approved in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 79.1 through 79.4.

H. CAMELIDAE
Same requirements as for cattle.

I. CERVIDAE
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and additional requirements as follows:
(1) Brucellosis: Same requirements as for cattle.
(2) Tuberculosis: (a)  All cervidae shall originate in herds which have had a negative herd test for tuberculosis within twelve (12) months with a USDA approved single cervical test and individual imported animals shall be negative to the single cervical test within thirty (30) days of entry; or
(b)  Animals not originating in tested herds as described above must test negative to two (2) single cervical tests at least ninety (90) days apart, the second test conducted not more than thirty (30) days prior to entry.

NOTE: (Contact an accredited veterinarian for further details of import rules).



IV - Fair association or exhibition or management shall inform exhibitors of the rules of this chapter and shall notify the State Veterinarian or his agent of any violations. Exhibitors shall present evidence of compliance with this chapter to the State Veterinarian or his agent upon request.

These rules constitute a minimum legal standard and in no way restrict the right of fair and exhibition managers to establish additional or more stringent requirements.

3/4/2021

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DIVISION OF CONSUMER & INDUSTRY SERVICES:
ANIMAL HEALTH

Charles Hatcher, D.V.M - Commissioner



2021 MEMORANDUM

TO: Fair Officials
FROM: Samantha Beaty, DVM State Veterinarian
DATE: March 4, 2021

Below is a summary of Tennessee Fair Regulations - health requirements for livestock at fairs and exhibitions.


Special Comments:

1. It is expected that all exhibitors will bring only healthy animals to fairs and exhibitions. Although state and federal animal health officials will be performing some inspections, fair officials are responsible for ensuring that all animals entering fairs for exhibition are in overall good health and are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Animals showing clinical signs of contagious disease should be sent home immediately. Violations should be reported to the state veterinarian or his agent.


2. Certificate(s) of Veterinary Inspection are to accompany all animal(s) to the respective shows with the exception of in-state Tennessee equine and poultry. In-state Tennessee equine six (6) months of age and older must have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the preceding twelve (12) months. Poultry assembled at shows or exhibitions should be accompanied by evidence of a negative test for Pullorum-Typhoid within 90 days, or be tested on-site prior to exhibition following strict biosecurity procedures, or originate directly from a flock which has been certified as Pullorum-Typhoid Clean under the Tennessee Poultry Improvement Plan. As part of increased awareness and surveillance for Avian Influenza and other poultry diseases, all bird’s physical appearance should be assessed at the time testing is conducted.

3. Health certificates issued in satisfaction of these Tennessee Fair Regulations shall be good for 90 days for Tennessee livestock only.

4. Please note that exhibition requirements for out-of-state livestock are the same as regular import requirements.

5. Warts and ringworm are considered contagious and infectious diseases and are permissible exclusions only if considered inactive by the issuing veterinarian and noted as such on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

6. Scabies, contagious ecthyma (soremouth), footrot, cutaneous fungal and bacterial infections (i.e. club lamb disease, caseous lymphadenitis) are considered contagious and infectious diseases, and are permissible exclusions only if considered inactive by the issuing veterinarian and noted as such on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

7. Avian Influenza – All out-of-state poultry must originate directly from a Pullorum Typhoid Clean Flock and a H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean Flock, or be accompanied by evidence of a negative Pullorum-Typhoid test within ninety (90) days and a negative official Avian Influenza test within twenty-one (21) days.

Also, please note that if highly pathogenic Avian Influenza is detected in Tennessee or a neighboring state, the commingling of poultry at fairs and exhibitions may be suspended.

Fair Biosecurity
Below is a summary of recommendations for fair management by the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians to better protect fair attendees from disease:
o Provide easy access to hand washing stations.
o Post informational signage that includes the following messages: ▪ No eating or drinking in the animal areas. ▪ Wash hands frequently. ▪ No pacifiers, sipping cups or strollers in the animal exhibition areas.
o Discourage sleeping in the animal exhibition areas.
o If human or swine influenza-like-illness is associated with the exhibition, animal health and public health officials should be notified immediately.
o People who have influenza-like illness should leave the exhibition immediately and seek medical care. They should advise their health care provider about their fair attendance.
o People at high risk for developing severe complications from influenza should limit their exposure to swine.

Also, be aware of the potential exposure of fair attendees to E. coli 0157 from animals exhibited on the fairgrounds.

Please retain this material for reference during the 2021 fair season.