Health Rules and Regulations covering animals to be shown at New Hampshire fairs and shows in accordance with instructions from the Division of Animal Industry, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Dr. Stephen K. Crawford, State Veterinarian, 25 Capitol Street, PO Box 2042, Concord, NH 03302-2042:
SEC. I. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: All cattle, sheep, goats, swine, equine, camelids (llamas & alpacas), poultry and ratites entering the State of New Hampshire from other states must be accompanied by a “Certificate of Veterinary Inspection” signed by an Accredited Veterinarian. This Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall indicate the health status of the animals, poultry and other species involved, including results of any required tests and a statement that the animals are not known to be afflicted with any infectious or contagious disease. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, which has been issued for a New Hampshire fair / show, will remain in force for the entire 2016 show season except when an animal has been excluded from exhibition for any reason. In such case, the excluded animals will need a new Certificate of Veterinary Inspection as outlined above prior to its next fair.
SEC. II. Permanent Identification: All cattle, sheep, goats, swine, camelids, cervidae, poultry, and ratites must be individually identified by permanent metal or plastic tag, legible tattoo or microchip (providing a reader is available).
SEC. III. Permit for Entry: Ratites, Camelids, Swine and/or Poultry: Prior permit must be obtained and the number must appear on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Permits may be obtained by calling: (603) 271-2404 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
A. GENERAL GUIDELINES
a. All animals must be in proper physical condition, be properly identified and free of visual evidence of infectious, contagious or parasitic disease at time of arrival. Specific diseases and conditions which will disqualify an animal for entry are identified for each species in the following sections of the rules. Animals of any species with open or draining wounds should not be approved for entry.
b. REMINDER: ALL sheep and goats of any age or sex brought to show or exhibition from either out of state or within state must possess a USDA approved individual identification tag, tattoo, or electronic implant consistent with the requirements of the Federal Scrapie Eradication Program. Information on approved tags, tattoos and electronic implants is available from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food at 603-271-2404 or from the USDA APHIS office in Sutton, MA at 508-865-1421.
c. All livestock must have proper identification. For animals identified by microchip, readers should be available at the fairgrounds.
d. SEE INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SPECIES LISTED BELOW.
B. EXHIBITOR SELF-CERTIFICATION
a. In order to improve exhibitor ownership and recognition of their responsibility to the protection of human and animal health at the fair, The Department put together a Fair Exhibitor’s Self-Certification of Animal Health. This does not supersede any of the guidelines or requirements contained herein. This also should not replace fair personnel or a veterinarian in the process of checking animals into the fair. Rather, it is intended to both improve the efficiency of the check-in process and make exhibitor’s more aware of and accountable for the health status of their animals throughout the entire fair season. If necessary, this system should also allow for a more rapid trace back to the source of a disease incident. This assessment and certification should be completed no more than 24 hours prior to the animal(s) entering the fair grounds,. at the time of entry, it should be reviewed, along with each animal, by the party responsible for checking animals into the fair. The Department support any efforts by each fair to adopt the completion of said certificate by all exhibitors as a necessary entrance requirement. The certificate should be kept with the animals and should be available for review at any time by fair personnel
C. RABIES RECOMMENDATIONS
a. The State Veterinarian recommends that all domestic animals should be immunized for rabies at least 30 days before attending the fairs. Domestic animals that do not have a licensed rabies immunization available (i.e., rabbits, pigs, and goats) may be immunized “extra-label”. They can still receive the rabies shot, but it is not recognized as an immunized animal. It is highly recommended that all animals displayed at the fairs be restrained in a manner that would not allow the public to be bitten or exposed to saliva. Rabies vaccines for show participants should be administered by a licensed veterinarian so as to assure the efficacious handling and administration of the vaccine.
D. RINGWORM
a. Ringworm infection or any condition consistent with ringworm infection should exclude an animal from exhibition. An exception could be made for an animals which has been under the treatment of a veterinarian for the ringworm infection for at least 21 days when the veterinarian certifies in writing that duration of treatment and that the lesion is no longer infectious to others. This is a reasonable manner in which to mitigate risks to animal and public health from a relatively common disease condition without excluding excessive numbers of animals. Exhibitors should be made aware of the need to consult a veterinarian well in advance to arrange treatment sufficient to meet this standard
E. CATTLE
a. New Hampshire Animals – See Sec. II, Permanent Identification required. All cattle must originate from non-quarantined Tuberculosis negative herds and Brucellosis negative herds under state supervision; no further papers required.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I and II. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permanent Identification required All cattle originating from Tuberculosis accredited-free and Brucellosis classified-free states and Canadian provinces may enter the state of New Hampshire without testing. Cattle not originating from Tuberculosis accredited-free and Brucellosis classified-free states and Canadian provinces must meet the following requirements:
i. All cattle must originate from Tuberculosis negative and Brucellosis negative, non-quarantined herds and must have been tested within 30 days for Brucellosis and within 60 days to Tuberculosis prior to entry for the first show of the current season.
ii. Cattle under 18 months of age which are official vaccinates may enter New Hampshire without a Brucellosis test, but the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must show a record of such vaccination.
iii. Calves under 179 days of age from Tuberculin negative herds under supervision tested within one year may enter the state without a test, if properly identified as progeny of a tuberculin tested dam.
F. STEERS, SPAYED HEIFERS & OXEN must meet the same requirements as stated above for Tuberculosis. No Brucellosis requirement.
G. GOATS
a. New Hampshire Animals – See Sec. II, Permanent Identification required. All goats must originate from non-quarantined herds and be clinically free from infectious and communicable diseases including lymphadenitis, staphylococcal infection, foot rot, contagious ecthyma (sore mouth), scabies or scrapie; nor shall they be progeny of goats known to be infected with scrapie.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I and II. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permanent Identification required. All goats originating from Tuberculosis accredited-free and Brucellosis classified-free states and Canadian provinces may enter the state of New Hampshire without testing. Goats not originating from Tuberculosis accredited-free and Brucellosis classified-free states and Canadian provinces must meet the following requirements:
i. All goats 6 months of age or older must originate from non-quarantined, Tuberculosis negative and Brucellosis negative herds and must have been tested within 30 days for Brucellosis and within 60 days to Tuberculosis prior to entry for the first show of the current season.
ii. All goats under 6 months of age must be identified as progeny of a negative Brucellosis and Tuberculosis tested dam.
iii. All goats must be clinically free from all other infectious and communicable diseases including lymphadenitis, staphylococcal infection, foot rot, contagious ecthyma (sore mouth), scabies or scrapie, and shall not be progeny of goats known to be infected with scrapie.
c. Goats Enrolled in the Voluntary Scrapie Program – In order to lower the risk of scrapie transmission, goat herds that are enrolled in the scrapie eradication program should follow the following guidelines:
i. Be kept separate from non-enrolled goats by a vacant pen, a barn alley, or a solid physical barrier (such as metal, wood, canvas) sufficient to prevent any physical contact between enrolled and non-enrolled goats.
ii. Limit contacts in the show or sales ring to minimize risk of scrapie transmission. These contacts take place between animals off the herd’s premises and not during or immediately after kidding. Limited contacts do not include commingling, which means the grouping of animals together with free physical contact
d. Prevent contact with kidding animals at exhibits or sales. Kidding increases the exposure potential
H. SWINE
a. New Hampshire Animals – See Sec. II, Permanent Identification required. All swine must originate from non-quarantined, Brucellosis and Pseudorabies Free herds and be clinically free from all other infectious and communicable diseases.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I, II and III, Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, Permanent Identification and Permit required. All swine shall be Brucellosis Validated or progeny of non-quarantined Brucellosis Validated herd or originate from a validated Brucellosis-free state. All swine shall have a Pseudo-rabies (PRV) negative test within 30 days of entry or originate from a Qualified Pseudorabies Negative herd or Pseudorabies class IV or free state.
I. SHEEP
a. New Hampshire Animals – See Sec. II, Permanent Identification required. All sheep must originate from a non-quarantined flock and animals must not have been exposed to scrapie, scabies or any other contagious or infectious disease, and shall not be the direct progeny (first generation) of any animal diagnosed as having scrapie.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I and II. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Permanent Identification required. All sheep must originate from an inspected, non-quarantined flock; the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall state that the animals have not been exposed to scrapie, scabies or any other contagious or infectious disease; and the animal shall not be the progeny of a sire or dam that was infected with scrapie.
c. Sheep Enrolled in the Voluntary Scrapie Program – In order to lower the risk of scrapie transmission, sheep flocks that are enrolled in the scrapie eradication program should follow the following guidelines:
a. Be kept separate from non-enrolled sheep by a vacant pen, a barn alley, or a solid physical barrier (such as metal, wood, canvas) sufficient to prevent any physical contact between enrolled and non-enrolled sheep.
b. Limit contacts in the show or sales ring to minimize risk of scrapie transmission. These contacts take place between animals off the flock’s premises and not during or immediately after lambing. Limited contacts do not include commingling, which means the grouping of animals together with free physical contact.
c. Prevent contact with lambing animals at exhibits or sales. Lambing increases the exposure potential.
i. Be kept separate from non-enrolled sheep by a vacant pen, a barn alley, or a solid physical barrier (such as metal, wood, canvas) sufficient to prevent any physical contact between enrolled and non-enrolled sheep
ii. Limit contacts in the show or sales ring to minimize risk of scrapie transmission. These contacts take place between animals off the flock’s premises and not during or immediately after lambing. Limited contacts do not include commingling, which means the grouping of animals together with free physical contact.
iii. Prevent contact with lambing animals at exhibits or sales. Lambing increases the exposure potential..
J. HORSES
a. New Hampshire Animals – A negative USDA-approved Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test (i.e. Coggins or ELISA) within the previous twelve months is recommended.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required. All equines entering the State of New Hampshire must be accompanied by a valid negative A.G.I.D. or ELISA (Coggins) test for Equine Infectious Anemia conducted within six months prior to entry. Entry permit not required.
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that Show Management examine health certificates and EIA test papers for all horses. It is also recommended that all horses have EEE, tetanus, and equine herpes virus vaccines no less than 14 days and no more than one year prior to the date of the fair in addition to the rabies vaccine.
K. POULTRY
a. New Hampshire Poultry – All poultry over 5 months of age must have been tested within one year for, and found negative to Salmonella Pullorum and avian influenza, identified by official leg band and must be progeny of Pullorum clean stock and free of all infectious and contagious diseases and exposure thereto.
b. Out-of-State Poultry – See Sec. I, II and III. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or NPIP VS Form 9-3 and Permit required. All poultry over 5 months of age must have been tested within one year for, and found negative to Salmonella Pullorum and avian influenza and be identified by official leg band. All poultry under 5 months must be progeny of Pullorum clean stock and free of all infectious and contagious diseases and exposure thereto.
L. CERVIDAE, CAMELIDS AND BISON
a. New Hampshire Animals – All cervidae, camelids and bison must originate from non-quarantine herds.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I, II and III. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, Permanent Identification and Permit required. Camelids and bison must have a negative Brucellosis test within 30 days prior to the first show of the season and a negative Tuberculosis test within 60 days prior to the first show of the season.
NOTE: No cervids may enter the state of New Hampshire for show purposes due to the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
M. RATITE (emu, rhea, ostrich, moa, kiwi and cassowary)
a. New Hampshire Animals – All ratites must originate from a non-quarantined, Avian Influenza tested negative flock.
b. Out-of-State Animals – See Sec. I, II and III. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, Permanent Identification and Permit required. All ratites must have been tested negative to pathological strains of Avian Influenza within 10 days of the fair.
N. BIO-SECURITY
a. When exhibiting animals at the fairs or shows, bring your own shovels, forks, brooms and wheel barrows for your personal use and do not allow them to be used by others. Disinfect all of the hand tools, including the wheel barrows, feed tubs and your boots and shoes before going back to the farm.
b. Consider isolating all animals returning to your farm from the animals left at home for a period of time to minimize transmission of diseases that may have been picked up at the show.
c. Do not allow the public to walk in the feed areas and do not allow manure contamination of the feed or feeding areas.
d. There are many diseases, such as Johnes, E. Coli, Salmonella, etc., that can be spread at fairs and brought back to the farm. Prevent the spread of organisms.
