The Ohio Department of Agriculture has lead the nation in addressing the increasing problems and concerns related to tampering of exhibition livestock with illegal drugs and substances. In 1994, 8 of 11 top prize winning animals at the Ohio State Fair tested positive for illegal drugs and/or substances. In 1995, 1 of 32 prize winning animals tested positive. In 1994 there was no testing of animals at the county and independent fairs. In 1995 an estimated 20 animals were found to be positive for drugs and/or illegal substances. In light of the fact that well over 38,000 animals were entered at the county and independent fair competitions, heightened awareness of the impact drugs and illegal substances have on food safety and the need for quality in Ohio’s exhibition livestock was resulted.

In late 1994, the Ad Hoc Livestock Show Task Force was organized to outline changes necessary to reemphasize the educational purpose of junior livestock shows and compile policy recommendations to deter unethical practices. As a result of the Task Force findings, presented in an Action Plan, the Legislature adopted statutory requirements in June of 1995. The Ohio Department of Agriculture followed that mandate with implementation of emergency rules for administering the tampering laws in July of 1995. In October of 1995, Administrative Rules were made permanent.

Public concern over safe food supply, the need to develop residue avoidance mentalities in food animal producers, and the desire to elevate youth exhibitors on their skill in raising quality livestock, gave way for structuring of a program that would serve to deter tampering of livestock at Ohio livestock exhibitions.

Input from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Industry Representatives, State Fair Officials, County and Independent Fairs, Ohio state university, Extension Services, the Ohio Department of Education’s Agricultural Education Program and other Junior Fair Representatives has been networked to provide Ohio with tools needed to reform livestock exhibition.

• Encourage youth development of skills in livestock production; (exhibitions are more that a mere competitive project, animals are part of the food chain and skill in production is of utmost importance);

• Deter Tampering;

• Heighten producer food safety awareness;

• Avoid residues;

• Punish violators;

• Promote health, safety and welfare of livestock;

• Promote show ring ethics;

• Provide each and every exhibitor an atmosphere of competitive spirit that promotes an educational experience, as well as honest and integrity.

 

Exhibition as a show or sale of livestock at a fair or elsewhere that is sponsored by or under the control of a county or independent agricultural society; a show or sale of livestock at the Ohio State Fair; a livestock show at a fair elsewhere or a livestock sale at or associated with a fair or livestock show that is assembled for any length of time; a show or sale at or associated with a fair with origins outside Ohio. (901.70 ORC);

Livestock as any animal generally used for food or in the production of food, including cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, swine (901.70 ORC);

Sponsor as a county or independent agricultural society organized under the Ohio Revised Code; the Ohio State Fair; any other public or private entity sponsoring an exhibition (901.70 ORC);

Tamper as treatment of livestock in such a manner that food derived from the livestock would be considered adulterated as defined in 3715.59 of the Ohio Revised Code; (901.70 ORC) injection, use or administration of a prohibited drug, or misuse of an approved drug; injection or other internal or external administration of any product or material for the purpose of concealing, enhancing, transforming, or changing true conformation or condition of the animal; use or administration of steroids, growth stimulants or internal artificial filling; use or administration of any drug or feed additive affecting the central nervous system; use or administration of diuretics for cosmetic purposes; surgical manipulation or removal of tissue so as to change, transform, or enhance the true conformation of the livestock.

Sabotage as intentionally tampering with any livestock belonging to or owned by another person that has been registered, entered in, or exhibited in any exhibition, or raised with the apparent intent of being entered in an exhibition (901.70 ORC);

Dangerous drug use requirements which restrict administration, distribution, manufacture, possession, selling or use.

If ethical issues were clearly understood and thoroughly appreciated - one could anticipate dramatic reduction of residue violations in food animals.

Food as defined by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is 1) Articles used for food or drink for man or other animals; 2) Articles used for components of any such article. US FDA regards live animals raised for food as "food" under the Act.

US v. Tuente Livestock, US District Court, S. District, W. Division, C-3-94-336, May 19, 1994.

 

The Court concluded that it is permissible for the FDA to interpret the term "food" to include live animals raised for food and intended to be offered for slaughter.

• Keep accurate treatment records;

• Maintain animal identification;

• Know and follow drug withdrawal times;

• Use the proper dose, administer as directed and for the length of time instructed;

• Avoid extra label drug use or do so only under the direct advice and instruction of a licensed veterinarial.

 

All the following conditions must be met for a VCPR to exist:

• The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making a clinical judgement regarding health of an animal needing treatment and the client agrees to follow the veterinarian’s instructions;

• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal and he/she has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the animal and has examined the animal;

• The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in the event of adverse reactions or failure of treatment. (AVMA Policy Statement, 1995, AVMA Directory)

 

1. Examine Health Certificates as required.

2. Inspect each animal for infectious or contagious disease upon reasonable arrival and each day

of the exhibition.

3. Follow all federal and state laws and regulations relevant to a licensed accredited veterinarian

pursuant to Title 9 CFR Part 161, requirements and standards for accredited veterinarians.

4. May order the immediate removal of any animal which in the opinion of the approved

veterinarian places other animals at unacceptable risk of disease.

5. Coordinate urine sample collection following ODA collection protocol.

6. Serves as the Director’s designee as it relates to the collection of urine samples at exhibitions.

• Good standard practices of evidence collection provides

quality control and assures sample identity

• Documents and verifies movement of the sample

• Deters mishandling of the sample

1. Read and know Department of Agriculture, Fair and/or Show rules and regulations.

2. The exhibitor and owner shall be the absolute insurer or and responsible for the condition of

the livestock entered, registered, shown or exhibited in an exhibition.

3. Junior Fair livestock exhibitors must register, enter, exhibit only livestock owned by the

exhibitor.

4. Not present for exhibition an animal known or suspected of being affected with or exposed to

dangerously contagious or infectious disease or residue.

5. Obtain health certificates as required.

6. Only use acceptable grooming practices.

7. Render assistance in the sampling and testing of livestock.

8. Sign sample custody forms and initial labels.

9. Forward copies of health certificates to ODA as required.

10. Make available of health certificates, registrations, vaccination certificates, or other

documents as requested by exhibition officials, approved fair veterinarian or ODA officials.

11. Complete and provide Drug Use Notification Form as required.

12. Supplement Drug Use Notification Form as required.

13. Not exhibit a tranquilized animal.

14. Care for the exhibition animal until departure for slaughter or consignment to a licensed

livestock facility.

15. Comply with practices of the Farm Animal Care Commission.

a) Identifies the exhibitor, animal owner and animal

b) Discloses and certifies drug use notification

condition animal is being treated for

the type of medication dispensed

the dates of treatment

what the instructed with drawl time period is

identity of the licensed veterinarian providing care

c) Signatures which acknowledge that the information provided on the form is accurate and true exhibitor/animal owner signature parent/guardian signature

1. Determine the type of exhibition to be sponsored.

2. Designate a Records Official.

3. Obtain an authorized approved "Fair" Veterinarian.

4. Notify ODA in writing, ten days in advance of the exhibition, where livestock will be

slaughtered.

5. Maintain animal identification and chain of custody of exhibition livestock.

6. Maintain records for one year from the date of the exhibition.

• Entry registration

• Animal identifications

• Drug Use Notification forms

• Custody records

7. May collect sale proceeds and hold until carcasses are released/testing is complete, or allow successful bidder to withhold distribution of proceeds until carcasses are released, or if carcasses are not released, return sale proceeds to successful bidder.