Department Rules & Regulations

Important Note for Cattle Exhibitors

Procedure for Movement of Northern Ireland (NI) Cattle into and out of Local Agricultural Shows

Disease Control

Only animals free from disease restrictions, including Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Bluetongue and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (herd or individual animal restrictions) may be permitted to move to a Show.

To minimise the risk to other livestock, exhibitors are encouraged to have “Show” animals tested for Tuberculosis by their Private Veterinary Practitioner in the 30 days beforehand.

To minimise the risk to their own herd, exhibitors are encouraged to quarantine show animals and have them tested for Tuberculosis by their Private Veterinary Practitioner at least 42 days after their last appearance at a show and before re-integration to the main herd.

The Compulsory Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Scheme (BVD).

Shows should put in place adequate bio-security measures to reduce the risk of transmission on the premises.

For cattle born on/after 01/03/2016, only those animals with BVDN status on APHIS (negative BVD test result) can be moved into a “Show” herd. APHIS will block the movement of animals which don’t have BVDN status.

For cattle born before 01/03/2016, animals with an APHIS status of BVDP (positive), BVDI (inconclusive), DAMPI (dam of a positive animal) or OFFPI (offspring of a positive animal) cannot be moved into a “Show” herd. APHIS will block the movement of animals which have any of these statuses.

In summary, only those animals with a BVD status of BVDN (negative) INDNEG (indirect negative) or ‘blank’ (no BVD status on APHIS) can move into the Show Herd. Any animal with an APHIS status of BVDP, BVDI, DAMPI, OFFPI or BVDU (unknown) status cannot be moved into the “Show” herd.

In respect of imported animals born on or after 1/3/2016, if a result from an approved laboratory has not already been provided by the vendor, the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 requires a valid BVD test to be completed within 20 days of the date of importation.

Identification

All cattle must be properly identified and comply with the Cattle Identification Regulations.

General Principles

Cattle going to a Show(s) must be accompanied by a fully completed MC2 document identifying the Show premises as the destination.

Cattle moving from a Show must return to the herd they came from.

The number of Shows to which cattle may travel is not limited provided these conditions are met on all occasions.

Movements to or from a Show

Movements to a Show

Pre-movement testing for Bovine Brucellosis is no longer required for movement to shows.

On arrival at the Show, the cattle must be accompanied by a fully completed MC2 document.

The top 3 copies (MC2A-White, MC2B-Yellow and MC2C-Pink) must be brought to the Show. All 3 copies will be checked by a Show Representative and stamped with the Show stamp.

The MC2A (white) will be retained by the Show Operative.

Movements from a Show (including Show Operator’s Responsibilities)

1. Where the exhibitor has their Sticker Book with them the Show will issue a movement out MC2 endorsed with the herd number of the exhibitor and the serial number of the ‘move in’ MC2. The MC2A (White) and MC2B(Yellow) ‘move out’ copies should be stapled to the Yellow ‘move in’ copy and have a yellow confirmation sticker applied. This must then be sent by the Show Operatives to be received at the local DAERA Direct Office at the latest by the next working day. The MC2C (Pink) ‘move out’ copy should be stapled to the Pink ‘move in’ copy and have the corresponding pink sticker applied. This must be given to the herd keeper for his/her own records (see Annex A).

2. Where the exhibitor does not have their sticker book with them the Show will issue a ‘move out’ MC2 with ALL details completed (including animal details). The move out MC2A (White) copy with the move in MC2B (yellow copy) must be sent to the local DAERA Direct Office at the latest by the next working day and the move out MC2B (Yellow) and MC2C (Pink) copies with the move in MC2C (pink) copy must be given to the exhibitor. The herd keeper must return the MC2B, with a yellow sticker attached and must be received by his/her local DAERA Direct Office within 7 days (to avoid an NMN status) and the MC2C, with corresponding pink sticker attached, must be kept for his/her records (see Annex B).

 

Important Note for Sheep Exhibitors

Procedure for Movement of Northern Ireland Sheep into and out of Shows

Identification - For Moves to and from a Show

All sheep, irrespective of their date of birth, must be identified and comply with the Sheep and Goats Identification Regulations and be registered in the flock of the exhibitor.

All sheep must be identified correctly before arriving at the Show. Sheep arriving at the Show without the correct identification will be refused admittance.

Movement of Sheep to a Show - See Annex C

Sheep must be accompanied by a fully and accurately completed SG2 self-written movement document. The SG2 movement document authorises the movement of sheep or goats from the farm to Show premises.

The individual identification numbers must be recorded on the SG2 document (it is acceptable to attach a cross-referenced printed schedule listing the tag numbers to the SG2). These numbers must be checked by the Show Operators against the animals presented before the animals are allowed entry to the Show.

The SG2 movement documents must be stamped with the Show stamp. The white copy must be sent to the local DAERA Direct Office at the latest by the next working day.

Show Operators must have books of movement documents (SG2s) for sheep and separate books for goats.

Movement of Sheep from a Show - See Annex D

The yellow copy of the SG2 provided by the Show Operator must accompany the animals back from the Show. This must include details of the Show and receiving flock, the individual tag numbers (it is acceptable to attach a printed schedule listing the tag numbers to the SG2) or be cross referenced/stapled to the pink copy of the incoming SG2 (only if the whole batch moves out at the same time).
Section 3 of the outgoing SG2 must be signed by the flock keeper.

Both move in and move out white copies of the SG2 must be sent to the Show’s local DAERA Direct Office by the Show Operator at the latest by the next working day.

Movement of Sheep to and from a Central Point of Recording (CPR) Show

Sheep moving to a CPR Show must be accompanied by a fully and accurately completed SG2 self-written movement document, however, the individual tag numbers do not have to be recorded on the SG2.

The total number of sheep being moved into the Show must still be entered on the SG2.

The ear tag numbers will be read electronically on entry to the Show and a list of tag numbers will be given to the exhibitor.

The exhibitor must complete and sign a declaration stating that the sheep will be returned to their flock of origin directly from the Show premises.

The Show must send the declarations to the local DAERA Direct Office for the Show at the latest by the next working day.

On departure from the Show the ear tag numbers will again be read electronically and the exhibitor will be issued with a C movement document. This C document must accompany the sheep back to their premises of origin.

 

Important Note for Goat Exhibitors

Procedure for Movement of Northern Ireland Goats into and out of Shows

Identification - For Moves to and from a Show

All goats, irrespective of their date of birth, must be identified and comply with the Sheep and Goats Identification Regulations.

All goats and kids must be identified correctly before arriving at the Show. Goats arriving at the Show without identification will be refused admittance.

Movement - Goats Going to a Show - See Annex C

Movement of goats to Shows must be accompanied by a fully and accurately completed SG2 self-written movement document.

The individual identification numbers must be recorded on the SG2 document (it is acceptable to attach a printed schedule listing the tag numbers to the SG2). These numbers should be checked by the Show Operators against the animals presented before the animals are allowed entry to the Show.

The SG2 movement documents must be stamped by the Show Secretary. The white copy must be sent to the local DAERA Direct Office at the latest by the next working day.

Show Operators must have books of movement documents (SG2s) for goats and separate books for sheep.

Movement of Goats from a Show - See Annex D

The yellow copy of the SG2 provided by the Show Operator must accompany the animals back from the Show. This must include details of the Show and receiving herd, the individual tag numbers (manually added or scanned list) or be cross referenced/stapled to the pink copy of the incoming SG2 (only if the whole batch moves out at the same time). Section 3 of the outgoing SG2 must be signed by the herd keeper.

Both move in and move out white copies of the SG2 must be sent to the Show’s local DAERA Direct Office by the Show Operator within 7 days.

 

Important Note for Poultry Exhibitors

In view of the on-going issues with Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in many countries, Show operators must comply with the conditions of the general licence for bird gatherings which is on the DAERA website at:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/general-licence-bird-gatherings

The species of poultry/birds involved will determine whether or not the holding of a show will be permitted.

 

Bio-security

Gathering animals together from many farms in different areas of the country has the potential to spread animal disease. It is the responsibility of every exhibitor to reduce this risk to a minimum and thus to protect his/her own livestock and that of other farmers. No animal under DAERA restriction, or showing signs or symptoms of any disease, must be brought to a Show. For example, if animals intended for a show are BVD PI animals or the dam of a BVD PI animal they should not be exhibited. Calves born on/after 01/03/2016 must have been tested negative for BVD.

Vehicles used to transport any animals to the Show must be cleansed and disinfected before leaving your farm, with special attention being paid to the underside and wheel arches. Any equipment brought to the Show should also be cleansed and disinfected with a DAERA approved disinfectant. These are listed at:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/approved-disinfectants

Clean protective clothing and footwear should be worn when handling animals.

If bedding is to be used at the Show, it should be fresh and clean. Contaminated bedding should not be removed from the transport vehicle at the Show grounds.

Contact between animals while at the Show should be kept to a minimum.

Prior to leaving the Show grounds, or immediately on return home, protective clothing and footwear should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. Vehicles used to transport animals should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected with special attention being paid to the underside and wheel arches.

Any clinical signs of disease occurring in animals that have been at the Show, during the following two to three weeks, must be reported to the Show operators. Where a notifiable disease is suspected, your local DAERA Direct Office should also be notified.

DAERA particularly encourages every exhibitor of in-calf cattle to assess carefully the risk of spreading disease before deciding to present them for showing. Exhibitors should ask themselves:

Are my TB and Brucellosis testing up to date?

Have the animals that I intend to exhibit a BVD status which allows movement into the Show herd? (Any animal with an APHIS status of BVDP, BVDI, DAMPI, OFFPI or BVDU status cannot be moved into the Show herd.)

Is my pregnant animal within the window of susceptibility for BVD infection (i.e. between 30 and 120 days in-calf) should it happen to encounter an animal transiently infected with BVD?

Is there any infectious disease in my area?

Have any of the cattle I intend exhibiting been bought in recently and do I know their movement and health history?

Have I reported any abortions in my herd and have they been tested and cleared?

Have I good bio-security on my farm, including precautions for people and animals coming on to the premises, and boundaries that prevent contact between my livestock and neighbouring livestock?

If you are in any doubt, contact the staff of the local DAERA Direct Office who will be happy to discuss the matter and offer advice.

Show operators should also be aware of the bio-security measures required for bird gatherings. Information is available on the DAERA website:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/biosecurity-best-practice-bird-gatherings

Where appropriate it is recommended that all entries in the poultry section are vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

 

Animal Transport Rules

Farmers are reminded to comply with the animal transport rules which apply in all EU member states.

Under Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and EU Council Regulation 1/2005 it is an offence to transport any animal in a way which causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal. Additional rules apply where animals are being transported in connection with an economic activity.

The transport of animals to agricultural Shows is normally regarded as being connected to an economic activity however the following situations are exempt:

• journeys consisting of a single animal accompanied by a person who has responsibility for its welfare (or, for example, two animals accompanied by two people);
• where pet animals are taken to or from a specialist Show or competition, where the primary purpose is for pleasure or competition, not as part of a business;
• where horses and ponies are transported by their owner for the purpose of riding or showing or competing for pleasure. (However, where a transporter is paid to undertake the transport this is within the scope of the EU Regulation);
• where individuals attending Shows or competitions primarily for pleasure share the burden of transport, e.g. petrol costs, but there is no profit made by the individual carrying out the transport; and
• where pet owners or hobbyists transport their own animals to and from events such as Shows, even when they win minor cash prizes. (In this context a hobbyist is an animal breeder/keeper where the expenses of the hobby exceed any income generated by it).

Farmers who transport their own animals using their own vehicles on any journey less than 65km (40 miles) are also exempt.

In any other circumstance the transport of horses and farmed livestock to and from Shows is subject to the additional rules. The transporter must hold a valid certificate of competence and be authorised by their competent authority – DAERA in the north of Ireland. Additional conditions, including prior vehicle approval, apply for any journey of more than 8 hours.

More information, including application forms, can be downloaded from the DAERA website at:

Welfare of animals during transport | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Alternatively, please telephone DAERA Animal Welfare Helpline on 0300 200 7840

 

Key Points

Contact between animals at Shows poses risks to animal health.

Exhibitors have a responsibility to protect the health of their own animals as well as those belonging to other exhibitors.

Abortions in the exhibitor’s herd must be reported, tested and cleared. .

Farmers should assess the risks before taking animals to Shows; if in any doubt they should check with their local DAERA Direct Office that there are no herd or individual restrictions that would prevent a move to the Show.

High standards of hygiene must be maintained with regard to vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and contact between animals.

Exhibitors should be especially vigilant in monitoring the health of animals for some time after they return from Shows.

Cattle and sheep from the RoI may only attend Show premises in NI that are operating as EU Approved Assembly Centres for the relevant species on that day.

Exhibitors and Show operators should be aware of the risk of zoonotic disease - these are diseases that people can get through contact with animals. This can occur even when the animal appears healthy. Whilst under normal circumstances this should not be a problem, the stress of movement and mixing may lead to increased secretion of infective agents such as Campylobacter, E.coli O157, TB, Brucellosis, Salmonella species and Leptospira species. Show Operators should ensure that a Risk Assessment is carried out for each Show and that appropriate precautions are taken at all times especially where children, or immuno-compromised adults may come into contact with animals, their products and excreta.

In each of the above scenarios it is clear that full traceability is required for all animals exhibited at the Show. It is therefore essential that every animal is properly identified before admission to the Show; that all movement notification documents are completed fully and accurately and returned promptly to the Department; and that the Shows’ own Flock and Herd Records are maintained in an up-to-date condition at all times.