Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 125 - Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission
Rule 125.00.06-002 - Exhibition Health Requirements for Livestock, Poultry, and Exotic Animals

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 125.00.06-002

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. CERTIFICATES OF VETERINARY INSPECTION AND ENTRY PERMITS:

"Certificate of veterinary inspection" refers to a legible record (made on an official form issued from the state of origin) by an accredited veterinarian, which shows that the animals listed thereon meet health requirements of the state of destination. It must bear the identification of each animal and separate certificates must be made for each species of animal entered. Entry permits are required on all out-of-state swine, rodeo bulls unless they are tested within thirty (30) days of entry, psittacines, passerines, ratites, all other avian species except poultry and turkeys, cervids, camelids, or exotic animals. Permits are also required on all cattle entering Arkansas from any state that is not a tuberculosis free state, unless that state has a reciprocal agreement with Arkansas. Permit numbers can be obtained from the state veterinarian's office (501) 907-2400 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A certificate of veterinary inspection must accompany all out-of-state animals; and

(a) Must be available on request by animal health officials.

(b) Individually identify all animals, showing positive identification of each animal by tattoo, ear tag, registration number or ear notch. Steers should be identified by description.

(c) Show required tests, vaccinations, and entry permit number, if applicable.

(d) Show name and address of owner or exhibitor--this shall be the same name as under which animals are exhibited.

2. Any animal or poultry showing any evidence of infectious or contagious disease, or of external parasitism, and animals with active ringworm lesions (with the resulting loss of hair), multiple warts easily visible without close examination, or atrophic rhinitis, will not be permitted to exhibit.

3. All animals entering the grounds, including those shown in pet zoos, children's barnyard animals, Old McDonald Farms, etc. must meet requirements of their particular species.

4. All animals originating out of areas quarantined because of other diseases (vesicular stomatitis, scabies, etc.) shall not be permitted to enter the state.

OUT-OF-STATE CATTLE

1. Valid certificate of veterinary inspection

2. Brucellosis requirements:

Heifers that were born on or after January 1, 1985, that are over twelve (12) months of age and are not official calfhood vaccinates will not be allowed to show unless they are from a Brucellosis Certified Free Herd or a Class Free state. All females and bulls eighteen (18) months of age and over must have a negative brucellosis test conducted at a state or federal laboratory within thirty (30) days prior to exhibition. Those exempt from testing requirements are as follows:

(a) Animals originating out of Class Free states

(b) Animals originating out of Certified Free Herds provided that the Certified Free Herd number and test date is recorded on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Rodeo bulls participating in a recognized and organized performance group may enter with a negative test for brucellosis within twelve 12 months if they are individually identified and accompanied by an entry permit.

1. Tuberculosis Requirements:

All sexually intact dairy cattle six months of age and older for interstate entry into Arkansas will be required to have a negative tuberculosis (TB) test within 30 days prior to entry.

a. These same dairy cattle will also be required to have an entry permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection prior to entry, as well as the negative test and must be officially identified.

b. Sexually intact dairy cattle under six months of age can be permitted under a hold order direct to a premise or designated facility and held there until they are tested negative at six months of age, at owner's expense.

c. The new regulation exempts dairy cattle that originate from accredited free TB herds (but not free states). Neutered dairy feeder cattle, and dairy cattle delivered direct to slaughter, or delivered to a market for sale direct to slaughter.

2. All breeding beef cattle 12 months of age and older entering Arkansas must meet one (1) of the following requirements:

a. Originate from a tuberculosis-free state;

b. Originate from a tuberculosis-free herd. The herd number and current herd test date must be shown on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection;

c. Test negative within thirty (30) days of shipment;
(1) These same beef cattle will also be required to have a certificate of veterinary inspection and will be required to have a permit if entering from a state that has lost its tuberculosis-free status.

d. Originate from a state having a reciprocal agreement with Arkansas;

e. All sexually intact cattle and bison, from any foreign country or part thereof with no recognized tuberculosis status comparable to the Uniform Methods and Rules standards of the U.S. Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program, imported for reasons other than immediate slaughter or feeding for slaughter must meet the following criteria:
1. Obtain a permit issued by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission prior to entry; and

2. Be quarantined to the Arkansas premises approved in the entry permit pending two (2) consecutive negative tuberculosis tests. The first test to be conducted not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days after arrival and the second test to be not less than two hundred ten (210) days nor more than two hundred forty (240) days after arrival in Arkansas; or

f. Importation of steers and spayed heifers from Mexico,
1. Steers and spayed heifers from Mexican states that have been determined by the State Veterinarian of Arkansas, based on the recommendations of the Bi-National Committee, to have fully implemented the Control/Preparatory Phase of the Mexican Tuberculosis Eradication Program may enter Arkansas provided they have been tested negative for tuberculosis in accordance with the Norma Official Mexicana (NOM) within sixty (60) days prior to entry into the United States and obtain an entry permit prior to entering Arkansas.

2. Steers and spayed heifers from Mexican states that have been determined by the State Veterinarian of Arkansas, based on the recommendations of the Bi-National Committee, to have fully implemented the Eradication Phase of the Mexican Tuberculosis Eradication Program by March 1, 1997, may enter Arkansas provided they have been tested negative for tuberculosis in accordance with the Norma Official Mexicana (NOM) within sixty (60) days prior to entry into the United States. Steers and spayed heifers from herds equal to U.S. Accredited TB-Free herds may enter Arkansas without testing provided they are moved directly from the herd of origin across the border as a single group and not commingled with other cattle prior to arriving at the border and obtain an entry permit prior to entering Arkansas.

3. Steers and spayed heifers from Mexican states that have been determined by the State Veterinarian of Arkansas, based on the recommendation of the Bi-National Committee, to have achieved Accredited Free status may enter Arkansas without testing provided they are moved as a single group and not commingled with cattle of a different status prior to arriving at the border and obtain an entry permit prior to entering Arkansas.

4. Holstein and Holstein-cross steers and spayed heifers from Mexico are prohibited from entering Arkansas regardless of test history.

5. Rodeo stock from Mexico must be tested negative for tuberculosis within sixty (60) days prior to their utilization as rodeo or roping stock under the supervision of a USDA/APHIS port veterinarian or a U.S. accredited veterinarian, retested for tuberculosis every twelve (12) months thereafter, and obtain an entry permit prior to entering Arkansas. No sexually intact rodeo stock from Mexico will be permitted into Arkansas.

6. Rodeo stock from any state that has lost its tuberculosis (TB) accreditation must be tested negative for tuberculosis within sixty (60) days prior to their utilization as rodeo or roping stock and retested for tuberculosis every twelve (12) months thereafter.

3. The State Veterinarian may designate high incidence areas within certain states that must meet additional import restrictions and retest requirements.

OUT-OF-STATE SWINE

1. As of July 1, 2001, an official premise identification and individual identification.

2. Valid certificate of veterinary inspection

3. Permit number

4. Brucellosis requirements:

Negative brucellosis test on all intact males (i.e., barrows excluded) and females six (6) months of age and older, within thirty (30) days prior to the exhibition. Animals originating directly out of Validated Brucellosis Free Herds, with the Validated Free Herd number and date of last test on the certificate, and animals from Swine Brucellosis Free States are exempt from testing requirements.

4. Pseudorabies requirements:

A negative pseudorabies test, regardless of age, within thirty (30) days prior to exhibition. Animals originating out of Pseudorabies Qualified Herds, with the Qualified Herd number on the certificate, and animals from Pseudorabies Free states are exempt from testing.

OUT-OF-STATE SHEEP AND GOATS

All sheep and goats entering Arkansas for exhibition shall meet all requirements for entry into Arkansas.

All sheep and goats exhibited within Arkansas must have a certificate of veterinary inspection within ninety (90) days of exhibition.

Exhibition officials must maintain records of all sheep and goats that are exhibited for a period of five years, to include:

a) Identification Number

b) Flock status as defined by the Voluntary Flock Certification Program

c) The name, complete address and phone number of the owner.

Fair personnel, veterinarians, or state-federal personnel may examine sheep on grounds.

Any sheep showing clinical symptoms of Scrapie shall be immediately quarantined in isolation and required to undergo any approved diagnostic tests and shall be consigned to slaughter or destruction with submission of tissues to an approved diagnostic laboratory at the exhibitor's expense.

Commingling (as defined by the Arkansas Scrapie Regulation) of sheep or goats of different flock status as defined by the Voluntary Flock Certification Program (VFCP) is prohibited and must be reported to the VFCP state official and State Veterinarian

No sheep or goats showing symptoms of disease, particularly foot rot, sore mouth, sheep pox, evidence of fungal infection, evidence of abscesses or with draining abscesses will be allowed to show and may be released by fair officials, veterinarians, or state-federal personnel.

OUT-OF-STATE HORSES

1. Valid certificate of veterinary inspection with individual identification and a rectal temperature reading on each animal.

2. A negative EIA test must have been conducted on all equidae over six (6) months of age within twelve (12) months prior to the exhibition, and the EIA test papers must accompany the certificate. Nursing foals under six (6) months of age are exempt from testing if accompanied by negative tested dams. (Photocopies of the test papers will not be acceptable--legible carbon copies will be acceptable.)

OUT-OF-STATE RATITES

All ratites must have a negative test for avian influenza within thirty (30) days prior to entry and exhibition unless a state of emergency has been declared. They must be individually identified with a form of permanent identification and listed on a certificate of veterinary inspection with an entry permit number.

OUT-OF-STATE CERVIDS

(1) All out-of-state cervidae shall have a valid certificate of veterinary inspection and a permit number prior to entry and exhibition and meet brucellosis and tuberculosis testing requirements.

(2) Brucellosis:

All cervidae over six (6) months of age shall have a negative test for brucellosis within thirty (30) days; or originate from a Certified Brucellosis-Free Cervid Herd; or originate from a Brucellosis-Monitored Cervid Herd within ninety (90) days prior to movement.

(3) Tuberculosis:

All cervidae shall have two negative single cervical tuberculosis tests conducted no less than ninety (90) days apart, with the second test conducted within ninety (90) days prior to movement; or originate from an Accredited Tuberculosis Free Cervid Herd; or originate from a Qualified Tuberculosis Cervid Herd with a negative test conducted within ninety (90) days prior to movement, except that cervidae under twelve (12) months from a Qualified Herd are exempt from testing; or originate from a Monitored Tuberculosis Cervid Herd with a negative tuberculosis test within ninety (90) days prior to movement, except that cervidae under twelve (12) months from a Monitored Herd are exempt from testing.

OUT-OF-STATE CAMELIDS

1. Individually identified, and valid certificate of veterinary inspection within thirty (30) days

2. Permit number

3. Registration papers when accompanied by registry photographs of the animal are acceptable identification.

OUT-OF-STATE RABBITS

No certificate of veterinary inspection required. Inspection will be made on grounds. No rabbits showing symptoms of disease will be allowed to show.

OUT-OF-STATE POULTRY

1. All poultry, which includes game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, turkeys, and waterfowl shall have originated from a US Pullorum clean flock or have had a negative pullorum test within ninety (90) days of entry. All turkeys shall also have originated from a US MG clean flock or have had a negative MG test within thirty (30) days of entry. All the preceding information must be documented on a valid certificate of veterinary inspection, NPIP flock certification form or similar certificate. These forms must indicate that the flocks from which the eggs or chicks originated have been tested for pullorum disease and were free of reactors; or, any eggs or chicks or poults produced under the supervision of the National Poultry Improvement Plan will be deemed to have met with the requirements of these regulations, provided all of the requirements of NPIP are complied with and applicable NPIP forms accompany birds. All non-certified poultry must be individually identified, either by a permanent leg or wing band or tattoo. Wraparound plastic bands are not acceptable. NPIP certified flocks of turkeys, chickens, and domesticated fowl entering on a VS 9-3 or NPIP flock certification form or similar certificate are exempt from the requirement of a certificate of veterinary inspection unless a state of emergency has been declared.

OTHER OUT-OF-STATE TAME OR EXOTIC ANIMALS

Please call State Veterinarian's office for information and permit.

ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK

COUNTY, JR. DISTRICT, DISTRICT, STATE FAIR LEVEL, AND OTHER SHOWS

1. All animals entering the grounds, including those showing in pet zoos, children's barnyard animals, Old McDonald Farms, etc. must meet the requirements of their particular species.

2. Arkansas livestock (except for Arkansas sheep, goats, horses, steers and rabbits) must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within ninety (90) days prior to exhibition, showing the following:

ARKANSAS CATTLE

1. If Arkansas is a Class Free State, Arkansas cattle are exempt from brucellosis testing. If Arkansas is not a Class Free State then the following testing requirements must be met:

Negative brucellosis test within ninety (90) days prior to exhibition, for females and bulls eighteen (18) months of age and over. All heifers that have calved or are bred must be tested. Animals originating from a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd are exempt if the Certified Free Herd number is shown on certificate.

2. All heifers that are four to twelve (4-12) months of age shall be vaccinated before entering show.

3. Heifers that were born on or after January 1, 1985, that are over twelve (12) months of age and are not official calfhood vaccinates will not be allowed to show (unless they are from a Brucellosis Certified Free Herd.)

ARKANSAS SWINE

1. As of July 1, 2001, all swine must have an official premise identification.

2. Animals six (6) months old or older to be tested negative for brucellosis within ninety (90) days of exhibition or originate directly out of a Validated Herd, with Validation number and date of last herd test shown on certificate (barrows exempt from brucellosis testing, but must be pseudorabies tested.)

3. Animals to be tested negative for pseudorabies regardless of age within ninety (90) days of the exhibition on a test approved by the state veterinarian or originate directly out of a Qualified Pseudorabies Free Herd, with Qualified Herd number and date of last test shown on certificate.

4. Free of other contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases (erysipelas, atrophic rhinitis, etc.); otherwise they will not be allowed to show and will be released from fairgrounds.

ARKANSAS SHEEP AND GOATS

Exhibition officials must maintain records of all sheep and goats that are exhibited for a period of five years, to include:

a) Identification Number

b) Flock status as defined by the Voluntary Flock Certification Program

c) The name, complete address and phone number of the owner.

Fair personnel, veterinarians, or state-federal personnel may examine sheep on grounds. Any sheep showing clinical symptoms of Scrapie shall be immediately quarantined in isolation and required to undergo any approved diagnostic tests and shall be consigned to slaughter or destruction with submission of tissues to an approved diagnostic laboratory at the exhibitor's expense.

Commingling (as defined by the Arkansas Scrapie Regulation) of sheep or goats of different flock status as defined by the Voluntary Flock Certification Program (VFCP) is prohibited and must be reported to the VFCP state official and State Veterinarian.

No sheep or goats showing symptoms of disease, particularly foot rot, sore mouth, sheep pox, evidence of fungal infection, evidence of abscesses or with draining abscesses will be allowed to show and may be released by fair officials, veterinarians, or state-federal personnel.

ARKANSAS RABBITS

Rabbits will be inspected on grounds. No rabbits showing symptoms of disease will be allowed to show.

ARKANSAS HORSES

Negative EIA test required within the past twelve (12) months for all animals over six (6) months of age. Nursing foals under six (6) months of age are exempt from testing if accompanied by negative tested dams Photocopies of the test papers will not be accepted; carbon copies are acceptable.

ARKANSAS CERVIDS

1. Certificate of veterinary inspection.

2. Negative cervical tuberculosis test within ninety (90) days.

3. Negative brucellosis test within ninety (90) days;

4. Or originate from a Certified Brucellosis-Free and Accredited Tuberculosis Free Cervid Herd;

5. Or originate from a Brucellosis-Monitored and a Qualified Tuberculosis Cervid Herd within ninety (90) days of exhibition.

ARKANSAS CAMELIDS

1. Individually identified, and certificate of veterinary inspection within ninety (90) days of exhibition.

2. Registration papers when accompanied by registry photographs of the animal are acceptable identification.

ARKANSAS RATITES

1. Certificate of veterinary inspection.

2. Negative avian influenza test within ninety (90) days.

3. Permanent identification.

ARKANSAS POULTRY

An official representing the exhibition shall notify the state veterinarian no later than thirty (30) days prior to the exhibition, giving names, place, inclusive dates, and time of the event. The requirements are as follows:

1. All in-state poultry, which includes domesticated game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, guineas, and turkeys, present at exhibition in Arkansas shall have originated from U. S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent flocks or have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within ninety (90) days of the movement to the exhibition (pullorum-typhoid testing on fairgrounds during the fair is prohibited.) This information will be documented on a NPIP Form VS 9-3, 90-Day Certificate, NPIP Flock Certification Form or similar certificate that will accompany the poultry during exhibition.

2. All non-certified birds must be banded (leg or wing band), with a sealed band. Wraparound plastic bands are not acceptable. In-state waterfowl are exempt from pullorum-typhoid requirements.

3. Any poultry showing evidence of infectious or contagious disease or insect infestation will not be permitted to exhibit.

4. Record Keeping -

The sponsor of the exhibition shall compile a list of all poultry present at exhibition. This list shall contain the name and address of each owner, the number, the species, breed, variety, type, sex, and pullorum-typhoid status of all poultry present. A copy of this shall be retained by the sponsor of the exhibition for at least twelve (12) months.

OTHER IN-STATE TAME OR EXOTIC ANIMALS

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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