TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CHARLES HATCHER, D.V.M.
COMMISSIONER
DIVISION OF CONSUMER & INDUSTRY SERVICES
ANIMAL HEALTH
MEMORANDUM
TO: Fair Officials
FROM: Samantha Beaty, DVM
State Veterinarian
DATE: February 8, 2023
Enclosed is a summary of Tennessee Fair Regulations – health requirements for livestock at fairs and exhibitions.
Special Comments:
1. It is expected that all exhibitors will bring only healthy animals to fairs and exhibitions. Although state and federal animal health officials will be performing some inspections, fair officials are responsible for ensuring that all animals entering fairs for exhibition are in overall good health and are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Animals showing clinical signs of contagious disease should be sent home immediately. Violations should be reported to the state veterinarian or his agent.
2. Certificate(s) of Veterinary Inspection are to accompany all animal(s) to the respective shows with the exception of in-state Tennessee equine and poultry. In-state Tennessee equine six (6) months of age and older must have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the preceding twelve (12) months. Poultry assembled at shows or exhibitions should be accompanied by evidence of a negative test for Pullorum-Typhoid within 90 days, or be tested on-site prior to exhibition following strict biosecurity procedures, or originate directly from a flock which has been certified as Pullorum-Typhoid Clean under the Tennessee Poultry Improvement Plan. As part of increased awareness and surveillance for Avian Influenza and other poultry diseases, all bird’s physical appearance should be assessed at the time testing is conducted.
3. Health certificates issued in satisfaction of these Tennessee Fair Regulations shall be good for 90 days for Tennessee livestock only.
4. Please note that exhibition requirements for out-of-state livestock are the same as regular import requirements.
5. Warts and ringworm are considered contagious and infectious diseases and are permissible exclusions only if considered inactive by the issuing veterinarian and noted as such on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
6. Scabies, contagious ecthyma (soremouth), footrot, cutaneous fungal and bacterial infections (i.e. club lamb disease, caseous lymphadenitis) are considered contagious and infectious diseases, and are permissible exclusions only if considered inactive by the issuing veterinarian and noted as such on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
7. Avian Influenza – All out-of-state poultry must originate directly from a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean Flock and a H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean Flock, or be accompanied by evidence of a negative Pullorum-Typhoid test within ninety (90) days and a negative official Avian Influenza test within twenty-one (21) days.
Also, please note that if highly pathogenic Avian Influenza is detected in Tennessee or a neighboring state, the commingling of poultry at fairs and exhibitions may be suspended.
Fair Biosecurity
Below is a summary of recommendations for fair management by the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians to better protect fair attendees from disease:
o Provide easy access to hand washing stations.
o Post informational signage that includes the following messages:
No eating or drinking in the animal areas.
Wash hands frequently.
No pacifiers, sipping cups or strollers in the animal exhibition areas.
o Discourage sleeping in the animal exhibition areas.
o If human or swine influenza-like-illness is associated with the exhibition, animal health and public health officials should be notified immediately.
o People who have influenza-like illness should leave the exhibition immediately and seek medical care. They should advise their health care provider about their fair attendance.
o People at high risk for developing severe complications from influenza should limit their exposure to swine.
Also, be aware of the potential exposure of fair attendees to E. coli 0157 from animals exhibited on the fairgrounds.
Please retain this material for reference during the 2023 fair season.
SB/lb
