Show Ring Code of Ethics

As developed by I.A.F.E

Exhibitors of animals at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in the 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 show 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 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 statues, regulations and rules affect the animal’s performance or appearance in 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 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 was 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 of 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 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 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, trainer, fitter 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.
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 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 statues, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.