Farming, Saturday, October 4, 1997-D3
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK
SHOW CODE
OF CONDUCT
(PART 3 OF 5)
THE CODE
Often the best thing about not saying any
thing is that it can’t be repeated.
Suzan L. Wiener
Editor’s Note: Part three in this series will
provide the reader with rules numbered 6
through 17 in the proposed National Lives
tock Show Code of Conduct
Notice this is a listing of guidelines that all
exhibitors must follow to enter livestock at
organized competitive events. As the steer
ing committee for the Pennsylvania Code of
Ethics Program for Animal Exhibitions
plans to implement a uniform set of guide
lines for events specifically in Pennsylvania,
it is important for participants to under
stand some of the local, regional, and espe
cially national guidelines that will influence
the final guidelines for Pennsylvania.
The original, unedited initial document
will be provided in this series of articles.
Responsible comment is invited and
welcome.
This Code of ethics applies to anyone exhi
biting animals at livestock shows in the United
States. It includes junior as well as open class
exhibitors who compete in structured classes of
competition. All classes of livestock offered at
the livestock event are included; cattle, (beef
and dairy), goats, (Angora, Bow, dairy, meat.
Cashmere), equine, (donkey, horses, mules),
llamas, and other specialty animals, poultry,
rabbits, sheep, swine, and any other livestock* 1
classes offered.
This “National Livestock Show Code of
Conduct” will be enhanced with additional
rules and regulations which individual fairs
and livestock shows impose on the local, coun
ty, state, regional, and national levels.
The following practices or procedures are
unacceptable and are defined as being decep
tive, fraudulent, unethical, and inhumane in the
care, fitting, preparation and showing of all
classes of livestock. The use of any illegal
drugs is considered a premeditated act! Furth
ermore, any information obtained in the prac
tice of illegal alteration of an animal will be
turned over to the proper authorities for crimi
nal prosecution.
This is a one-strike-and-you-are-out policy!
Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, and abso
lutely responsible persons who violate the code
of conduct demean the integrity of all livestock
exhibitors and will forfeit any premium,
awards, or auction proceeds, and will be prohi
bited from further competition at shows in the
United States, in accordance with the rules
adopted by the respective fairs and livestock
shows, as well as being subject to criminal pro
secution if proven guilty.
It is recognized there are certain practices in
the proper care and management of animals
that are necessary in the course of moving them
to and between shows that are advisable to keep
than in a sound healthy slate so they might be
presented in the show ring in a natural, normal
condition. Conversely, the following practices
or procedures are considered unacceptable.
The following is a listing of guidelines all exhi
bitors must follow to enter livestock at organ
ized competitive events;
6) Treating an animal internally or external
ly, with any irritant, counterirritant, or other
substance used to artificially change the con
formation or appearance of an animal for show
is considered unethical, inhumane, and is pro
hibited. This includes, but not limited to the use
of graphite, powders, hemp, artificial hair col
oring, common products such as fly spray,
ointment, or liniment used to the point that it is
irritating (unless required to reduce edema at
time of calving) or similar type products. Any
surgical procedure or injection of any foreign
substance or drug or the external application of
(Turn to Pago D 4)