8 CCR 1208-1, art. 7 - National Code of Show Ring Ethics (as adopted by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) in 2008)
(a) Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows
shall at all times comport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship.
Their conduct in this competitive environment shall always reflect the highest
standards of honor and dignity in 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.
(b) 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.
(c) The following is a list of guidelines for
all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events:
(i) 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.
(ii) Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers,
or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from
licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show
officials.
(iii) Junior exhibitors
are expected to care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock
shows.
(iv) 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 a 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.
(d) If the laboratory report on the analysis
of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the
presence of forbidden drugs or medications, 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
(j) The application of this code of ethics
provides for absolute responsibility for an animal's condition by an owner,
exhibitor, fitter, 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.
(j) 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
Expositions and any special notices to members.
(j) 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 National 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.
Notes
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