IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ORGANISERS OF
AND EXHIBITORS AT LIVESTOCK SHOWS, 2012
GENERAL
Show organisers should notify the SVI at their local DVO of the intention to hold a show
and provide the location and proposed dates of the show. Keeper herd numbers for
Agricultural Shows must be obtained in advance from NBAS Division,
Administration Building, Backweston Laboratory Campus, Backweston, Celbridge,
Co Kildare - Telephone (01) 5058600.
Exhibitors should apply in good time to the Show Secretary to check any requirements
specific to that show.
CODE OF PRACTICE – BIOSECURITY
Livestock Marts, Meat Plants, Showgrounds, Co-operatives, Agricultural Premises
In general movement and mixing of animals presents the greatest risk of the spread of
most animal diseases. For that reason the operators of marts, meat plants, livestock
shows etc., have a key role to play in ensuring that the disease risks associated with their
premises and operations are kept to a minimum. Specific legal requirements apply in
relation to bio-security arrangements. Adherence to these bio-security arrangements and
the guidelines outlined below can have a significant impact on reducing the opportunities
for disease transmission.
Acceptance of animals

All keepers must be registered appropriately if presenting animals (cattle, sheep,
goats, pigs and poultry).

Under no circumstances should animals that are identified improperly or documented
improperly be accepted.
Cleaning / disinfection

All areas where animals have been in contact should be washed down thoroughly and
disinfected with an approved disinfectant at the end of each day at a minimum.

Keep drinking/feeding troughs clean and free of animal waste or other contaminants.

Cleaning and disinfection facilities should be available on site for all transport
vehicles delivering/collecting animals. Shows should enforce the use of these
cleaning and disinfection facilities at all times.

Ensure that clients, when visiting the premises, wear waterproof footwear (e.g.
wellington boots) that can be cleaned and disinfected easily.

Provide foot-baths with suitable approved disinfectant at appropriate locations on the
premises.

Provide facilities for hand washing with liquid soap and for washing down footwear.

Provide signs on premises reminding people of the need to minimise the risks of
disease transmission and the availability on-site of washing facilities for vehicles and
persons.
Identification, documentation and record keeping

Retain a record of the registration number of each vehicle delivering/collecting each
consignment of animals.

Maintain a register, in readily accessible form, of all vendors/buyers, including
numbers and types of animals involved in each transaction.

Ensure compliance with all requirements in relation to record keeping and retention
of records.

Forward completed CMMS 4s in respect of bovines and Sheep or Goat Dispatch
Documents to the local District Veterinary Office to ensure that the cattle, sheep and
goat movement details are recorded on the Animal Identification and Movement
(AIM) database.
Suspicious/unusual transactions or movements

Report any suspicious or unusual transactions or movements involving livestock to
the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or the Garda Siochana (such
information can be provided on a strictly confidential basis).
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS - CATTLE
Animal Health Status
T.B.
All animals must come from herds, which are Officially TB free (OTF) (i.e. not
restricted), and the herd and relevant animals must have had a clear test within the
previous twelve months. No pre-movement test is required for T.B. However, it is
recommended by the Department that a 30-day pre-movement test for TB should apply to
all Shows.
Brucellosis
(a)
All animals must come from herds which are Officially Brucellosis free (OBF)
(i.e. not restricted).
(b)
Certain animals (i.e. females aged 18 months and over and bulls aged 24 months
and over) must have passed a test for Brucellosis within the previous 60 days.
However, these animals may move to any number of Shows within the validity
period of the same 60-day pre-movement test.
Where such an animal(s) is/are being shown repeatedly during successive 60-day validity
periods, in the course of a Show season, the animal(s) may be allowed to move on foot of
Permit ER 36A during the unexpired portion of a valid test where the animal is under test
for the next validity period and the identity card/passport is held by the DVO/practitioner.
Identification
All cattle must bear two plastic tags with the same number (one in each ear) as issued
under the Department’s identification system. They must be accompanied by their
passports (except in the circumstances outlined in the preceding sub-paragraph).
Bulls for A.I. Stations
In addition to the T.B. and Brucellosis tests, bulls destined for A.I. stations must be tested
for I.B.R. (Infectious Bovine Rhynotracheitis), E.B.L. (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis),
B.V.D. (Bovine Virus Diarrhoea) and Johnes Disease, within 30 days prior to movement
into such stations.
AIM Notification
The movement of cattle to and from an Agricultural Show within the State must be
recorded on AIM. Form CMMS 4 (available from local DVOs) shall be used for all
except animals imported directly to the show (see below). Ultimate responsibility for
fulfilling this requirement lies with the Show Secretary.
The keeper of the animal(s) should complete sections 2 and 3(a) of the CMMS 4 form
while Section 3(b) should be completed by the Show Secretary. Completed forms should
be sent to the District Veterinary Office in the county where the Show is being held
within 7 days of movement.
Imports from Northern Ireland
It is very important that any proposal to import cattle to a show is made known to the
local District Veterinary Office well in advance so that consideration can be given to
compliance with the requirements outlined below.
Premises
The Show premises at which the cattle will reside for the duration of their stay must
either be an assembly centre approved for exports or of such a standard as being capable
of being approved for such a purpose temporarily. A fundamental requirement for such
premises is that they have surfaces that are capable of being cleaned and disinfected, and
have adequate cleaning and disinfection facilities. Adequate segregation facilities may be
required also (see under “Status of Animals” below).
Status of Animals
Cattle from Northern Ireland being moved to a show must be certified in accordance with
the normal requirements for intra-community trade in breeding animals including having
passed a TB test (export interpretation) during the 30 days prior to export and a
brucellosis test in the case of eligible animals (females and entire males over 12 months)
during the 30 days prior to leaving the herd of origin.
To comply with eligibility requirements for re-importation into Northern Ireland after the
show, cattle must not mix with any cattle of a lesser health status whilst at the show. This
can be achieved in one of two ways: (i) either the imported animals are kept segregated
fully from other cattle at the show which have not been tested, or (ii) all cattle attending
the show must have been TB (export interpretation) within 30 days and all cattle from
Northern Ireland attending the show must have been brucellosis tested within 30 days as
set out above.
Documentation
Cattle imported to a show from Northern Ireland must be accompanied by an original
breeding animal intra-trade health certificate (known as a TRACES certificate) and a
passport for each animal. A TRACES message, corresponding with the TRACES
certificate, will be sent for each animal or consignment being dispatched to the show (this
will be performed by officials in the dispatching country). For the return journey, this
original certificate must be endorsed by the signature of the official veterinarian of the
Department at the show, together with the official stamp of the competent authority and
date of endorsement. A TRACES message will be sent for the return journey also (this
will be performed by Department officials attending the show).
In addition, a non-comminglement certificate must be issued by the official veterinarian
for the show at or before return, stating that the animal shows no clinical signs of disease
and has not been in contact, during its stay at the show/event, with animals of a lesser
health status. The passport must accompany the animal on the return journey also.
The Show Secretary should complete a CMMS 5 form in respect of animals imported to
take part in the Show. The owner of the imported animal(s) is required to sign the form
also when the animal arrives at the Show and provide his/her herd number. Following the
Show, the official veterinarian should complete the bottom portion of the CMMS 5 form
also confirming that he has stamped the official Health Certificate and that he has issued
a Non-Comminglement Certificate.
The completed CMMS 5 form should then be forwarded to NBAS Division,
Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare to
enable recording of the movement. A carbon copy of the form will be provided for the
Show Secretary, the official veterinarian and the herd keeper of the animal(s).
CMMS 5 forms are available from local District Veterinary Offices (DVOs) or from the
Cattle Movement Notification Agency, Clonakilty, Co Cork.
Exports to Northern Ireland
Cattle moving from Ireland to a Show in Northern Ireland must be recorded on AIM.
When the intra-community-trade Certificate is being issued by the local office, they will
arrange to have the export movement of the animal(s) recorded onto AIM.
All cattle must be accompanied by an official TRACES intra-community-trade certificate
for bovine animals. A TRACES message, corresponding with the TRACES certificate,
will be sent for each animal or consignment being dispatched to the show (this will be
performed by Department officials in the DVO).
Cattle for Breeding and Production
Valid identity card/passport
-
all animals
Negative TB test (export interpretation) -
all animals aged over 42 days within
30 days prior to export
Brucellosis test
(serum agglutination or ELISA)
test carried out during the 60 days
prior to leaving the herd of origin)
-
female animals aged 18 months or
over and bulls aged 24 months or
over
Enzootic Bovine Leukosis
-
As Ireland is an enzootic
leukosis free member state, no
individual test is required for
export purposes.
Export of cattle to an agricultural show within the EU other than to Northern
Ireland
Agreement for the movement and immediate return of cattle to a Show in another country
or vice versa currently applies for movements between Ireland and Northern Ireland only
– it does not apply for movements to Great Britain or further afield. Requests for cattle
from Ireland to attend shows in countries other than Northern Ireland, will be dealt with
on a case-by-case basis.
Before the movement of cattle from Ireland to a Show in parts of the EU other than to
Northern Ireland takes place, it is imperative to establish that the competent authority of
the destination country has agreed to put in place the same system for the processing of
the documentation as applies to exports to Northern Ireland.
Therefore exhibitors who wish to show cattle at an EU Show other than in Northern
Ireland should contact the local District Veterinary Office (DVO) at least one month prior
to the Show.
Where the export of cattle from Ireland is agreed with the destination country, the
movement of such cattle must be recorded on AIM. When the official intra-community
trade Certificate for bovine animals is being issued by the local office, they will arrange
to have the export movement of the animal(s) recorded onto AIM.
Following the show, the original Health Certificate is endorsed and stamped by the
official veterinarian at the Show and a non-Comminglement certificate will be issued
also.
When the animal returns to the home farm, the keeper presents these Certificates to the
DVO along with a completed CMMS 6 form (available at DVOs) stating that the animal
has returned from the show. The DVO can record the import movement back to the
keeper’s holding on the AIM system then.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – SHEEP
Identification
All sheep must be identified individually with appropriate ear tags issued in accordance
with the requirements of the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS).
Movement Documentation
All consignments of sheep being moved must be accompanied by a completed dispatch
document. Individual details of each sheep in the consignment must be recorded on the
document. Sheep from non-restricted flocks only can be moved to shows. In the case of
flocks restricted following diagnosis of scrapie, sheep possessing the ARR/ARR
genotype only may be exhibited1. The movement of these ARR/ARR genotype sheep
must be accompanied by the relevant movement permit (SCR/10), which can be obtained
from the local District Veterinary Office in the county where the flock is located.
AIM Notification
The movement of sheep to and from an Agricultural Show within the State must be
recorded on AIM. This is done using a copy of the owners sheep dispatch document as
follows:
1. The owner/keeper presents the signed and completed dispatch document to the show
secretary who checks it to ensure that it is completed in full.
2. The show secretary fills in the MART section of the dispatch document with (i) the
show number, (ii) the date of the move back to the source holding (iii) stamps it with
the show stamp and (iv) signs the dispatch document.
3. The show secretary then forwards the completed pink section of the dispatch
document to the local DVO within 7 days of the show movement.
4. The show secretary keeps white copy for his/her records.
5. The source/destination keeper keeps the bottom yellow copy to enter it into their
flock register.
Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling this requirement lies with the Show Secretary.
Flock Register
All movements of sheep to and from shows must be recorded in the keeper’s flock
register.
1
ARR (Alanine, Arginine, Arginine) homozygous for alleles 136, 154 and 171 of the sheep’s prion protein.
Exports to Northern Ireland
All sheep must be accompanied by a TRACES intra-community trade certificate for
ovine animals. A TRACES message, corresponding with the TRACES certificate, will
be sent for each animal or consignment being dispatched to the show (this will be
performed by Department officials of the DVO). Exhibitors are advised to contact the
show society in Northern Ireland well in advance of any show to determine the suitability
of the show for return of animals (e.g. premises and sheep status), and whether the
authorities will have officials and veterinary staff present to supervise and process
documentation for animals returning to origin.
Agreement for the movement and immediate return of sheep to a Show in another
country or vice versa currently applies for movements between Ireland and Northern
Ireland only – it does not apply for movements to Great Britain or further afield.
Movements to shows other than Northern Ireland, will be dealt with on a case-by-case
basis and you should contact your local District Veterinary Office at least one month
prior to the Show.
Attendance of sheep from scrapie monitored flocks at shows and sales in 2012
Shows between 1st May and 31st October
Sheep from Scrapie Monitored Flocks2 will be permitted to attend Agricultural Shows
taking place between 1st May and 31st October, without restriction or separation from
other categories of sheep.
Shows outside of the 1st May and 31st October Period
For shows taking place before 1st May or after 31st October, sheep from Scrapie
Monitored or Probationary Flocks must be separated from other sheep as set down
below.
a. There must be complete separation of Monitored/Probationary sheep from
other categories of sheep at the show. Ideally, this would mean a separate
entrance and exit for each group, separate loading and unloading areas,
separate penning areas for each of the two groups and separate sale rings
for each of the two groups.
b. In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum
requirement would be for separation of loading and unloading areas and
also of penning areas. The two penning areas should be separated by a
sheep-free alleyway at least twelve feet wide. If only one show ring is
available, the sheep from the scrapie-monitored flocks must be shown
first.
2
These flocks are flocks either accredited (full member) or in the process of accreditation (probationary
member) for exporting sheep (that might not possess ARR/ARR genotypes).
Sales between 1st May and 31st October
Sheep from Scrapie Monitored Flocks will be permitted to attend sales taking place
between 1st May and 31st October, without restriction or separation from other
categories of sheep.
Sales outside of the1st May and 31st October Period
For sales taking place before 1st May or after 31st October, sheep from Scrapie
Monitored or Probationary Flocks must be separated from other sheep as set down
below.
1. There must be complete separation of the two categories of sheep at the sale
(monitored animals including probationary monitored animals and non
monitored animals). Ideally, this would mean a separate entrance and exit for
each group, separate loading and unloading areas, separate penning areas for
each of the three groups and separate sale rings for each of the three groups.
2. In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum
requirement would be for separation of loading and unloading areas and of
penning areas also. A sheep-free alleyway should separate the two penning
areas at least twelve feet wide.
3. If only one sale ring is available the procedures set out in the following two
options must be adhered to.
a. The sheep from the Scrapie monitored flocks must be offered for sale
first, followed by non-monitored animals
or
b. The ring can be divided by gates into two sections to ensure that each
of the two categories of animals is confined to a unique part of the
sales ring.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – GOATS
Identification
All goats must be identified individually with a pair of approved ear tags bearing the
same number, one in each ear, issued in accordance with the requirements of the National
Goat Identification System (NGIS).
Movement Documentation
All consignments of goats being moved must be accompanied by a completed dispatch
document. Only goats from herds/holdings that are not under restriction can be moved to
shows.
AIM Notification
The movement of goats to and from an Agricultural Show within the State must be
recorded on AIM. This is done using a copy of the keeper’s goat dispatch document as
follows:
1. The owner/keeper presents the signed and completed dispatch document to the show
secretary who checks that it is completed in full.
2. The show secretary fills in the MART section of the dispatch document with (i) the
show number, (ii) the date of the move back to the source holding, (iii) stamps it with
the show stamp and (iv) signs it.
3. The show secretary then forwards the completed yellow section of the dispatch
document to the local DVO within 7 days of the show movement.
4. The show secretary keeps white copy for his/her records.
5. The source/destination keeper keeps the bottom blue copy to enter it into their herd
register.
Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling this requirement lies with the Show Secretary.
Herd Register
All movements of goats to and from shows must be recorded in the keeper’s goat herd
register.
Attendance of goats from monitored herds at shows and sales in 2012
Shows between 1st May and 31st October
Goats from Scrapie Monitored Herds will be permitted to attend Agricultural Shows
taking place between 1st May and 31st October, without additional controls or
separation from other categories of goats.
Shows outside of the 1st May and 31st October Period
For shows taking place before 1st May or after 31st October, goats from Scrapie
Monitored or Probationary herds must be separated from other goats as set down
below.
1.
There must be complete separation of Scrapie Monitored/Probationary
goats from other categories of goats at the show. Ideally, this would mean
a separate entrance and exit for each group, separate loading and
unloading areas, separate penning areas for each of the two groups and
separate sale rings for each of the two groups.
2.
In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum
requirement would be for separation of loading and unloading areas and of
penning areas also. A sheep free alleyway should separate the two penning
areas at least twelve feet wide. If one show ring only is available, the goats
from the scrapie-monitored herds must be shown first.
Sales between 1st May and 31st October
Goats from Scrapie Monitored Herds will be permitted to attend sales taking place
between 1st May and 31st October, without additional controls or separation from
other categories of goats.
Sales outside of the 1st May and 31st October Period
For sales taking place before 1st May or after 31st October, goats from Scrapie
Monitored/Probationary Herds must be separated from other goats as set down below.
1. There must be complete separation of the two categories of goats at the
sale (monitored animals including probationary monitored animals and
non monitored animals). Ideally, this would mean a separate entrance and
exit for each group, separate loading and unloading areas, separate
penning areas for each of the three groups and separate sale rings for each
of the three groups.
2. In locations where all of the above may not be possible, the minimum
requirement would be for separation of loading and unloading areas and
also of penning areas. A goat free alleyway should separate the two
penning areas at least twelve feet wide.
3. If only one sale ring is available the procedures set out in the following
two options must be adhered to.
a. The goats from the Scrapie monitored herds must be offered for sale
first, followed by non-monitored animals
or
b. The ring can be divided by gates into two sections to ensure that each
of the two categories of animals is confined to a unique part of the
sales ring.
For enquiries regarding the NGIS, please contact the Sheep and Goat Identification and
Movement Section, Animal Health and Welfare Division on 1890 252 713.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – PIGS
Identification
All pigs must be identified by means of an approved ear tag on movement off the
holding. Breeding stock must be individually identified i.e. the letters IE, a five character
herd registration and an individual number, while other stock are required to have a herd
identification i.e. the letters IE and a five character herd registration.
Movement Documents
All consignments of pigs which are being moved must be accompanied by a completed
dispatch document. The dispatch document should reflect the movement to and from the
show. The owner of the animal(s) retains all three copies of the document.
Animal Health Status – Aujeszky’s Disease
Pigs which have been assigned a negative health status for Aujeszky’s disease - i.e.
Category 1 or 2 – only may be sent to shows.
Export of Pigs to Shows
Exhibitors are asked to contact the NPITS help-line (details below) if they wish to show
pigs at an Agricultural Show in another Member State.
Movement Notification
The movement of pigs to and from shows must be notified by phone to the central
movement database on 1890 291 000. Notification of movements to a show must be
made at least 24 hours before the movement takes place. Movements of pigs into the
herd on return from a show must be made within 24 hours of the pigs returning to the
holding.
NPITS Help-line
For assistance on any aspect of the National Pig Identification and Tracing System
(NPITS) contact the NPITS help-line on 1890 504 604
Requirement to register pig shows in advance with the Department
Shows must be notified to the Department to ensure that shows are recorded on the
central database. Accordingly it is not possible to accept movement notifications for
unlisted shows. Thus if an exhibitor intends to show pigs, even small numbers of pigs on
a “once off” or an irregular basis, at shows, it is important to check that such shows have
been notified to the Department to ensure that shows are recorded on the central database.
An exhibitor can check if a show is listed and recorded on the central database of the
Department by contacting the Department help–line on 1890 504 604.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – POULTRY
Restrictions on the movement of poultry and captive birds may vary in 2012 depending
on the international and local situation with regard to Avian Influenza. Therefore Show
organisers should contact the local District Veterinary Office prior to organising an event
to confirm whether any restrictions are in place at the time of the show.
Further information is available at
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/informationonshowsexhibitionsraces/
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES
Premises Registration
As from 1 May 2012, any premises (which includes shows, fairs and markets) where
horses or other equines are gathered must be registered with the Department.
Owners/persons in charge of such gatherings are required to submit a completed
application form for registration and to keep records of movements on/off their premises.
Records must be retained for at least 3 years as they may be required by the Department
for the purposes of tracing disease. Records required are

The name and address of the owner/person in charge of the premises from which
the equine came and

premises registration number from which the equine came and

Passport number/UEL number of the animal
It is important therefore that Show organisers should contact their local District
Veterinary Office in advance so that consideration can be given to compliance with the
requirements outlined above.
Any further information on the requirements for moving horses and equines to shows will
be provided on the Department’s website at
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalidentificationmovement
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
March 2012