Farm and Home Biosecurity
Livestock/Row Crop Producer
Biosecurity Guidelines for Animal Exhibitions
Fairs are an important part of summer in Indiana. The current foot-and-mouth
disease (FMD) situation in Europe has led to questions about animals at fairs
and other exhibition events this summer. Currently, with not known cases of FMD
in the United States, the cancellation of fairs and other animal exhibitions is
not warranted. In fact, such events provide the opportunity for you and others
in the animal agriculture industry to educate the nonfarm public.
Regulations: Be very strict about animal movement regulations. Remember:
Animals brought into fairs need to meet all animal health regulations. Do not
allow any animal to be unloaded until you verify paperwork and documentation are
valid and in order, a d a veterinarian or other official has inspected the
animal.
Public Access: Restricting the public’s access to animals is virtually
impossible. Remember: Showing livestock and companion animals at firs has always
increased the risk for disease transmission. This is not new to 2001. Nor is the
issue of Biosecurity unique to FMD or foreign animal diseases.
Post Signs on all animal facilities requesting those who have traveled
internationally within 5 days to avoid the livestock barns. Be available to
answer questions about the policy and help fair guest to understand the need.
Also post signs reminding visitors to wash their hands after visiting the barns.
Make was stations or hand sanitizer easily accessible. The risk of a human
contracting E. coli or salmonella is mush more likely than FMD being passed
among animal.
Livestock Owners: Owners can mitigate their risks with some simple
measures:
- For meat animals, the best policy is to show only those that
will be sent to slaughter after the fair.
- Animals that return home after the fair must be isolated from
other animals, including pets, and observed for 30 days.
- Animals from different sites should not be transported to and
from the event in a common vehicle. Trucks and trailers must be thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected after each use.
- Clothing (including hats) and shoes must be changed when
returning home during/after a show to do chores.
- Feed, tools, clippers, buckets, water tanks and other equipment
must not be shared among exhibitors, unless the items have been thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected. These items (including the show box) also need to
be cleaned and disinfected before returning home.
- Unused hay, feed and bedding remaining after the event needs to
be discarded at the show site, not taken home.
Education: Use your event as an opportunity to educate the public.
Explain what Biosecurity is and why it is necessary all the time, not just now.
Tell consumers that Biosecurity not only protects the farmer, but protects the
public by assuring animals are healthy. Healthy animals means safe food for
people.
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
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