The Maryland Department of Agriculture's (MDA), Animal Health Program strives to safeguard Maryland's animal industries at our Fairs and Shows. With an increased potential of disease transmission occurring when large numbers of animals gather for exhibition, MDA has set forth requirements for exhibitors to follow at Maryland Fairs and Shows. As an exhibitor you can help reduce the potential risk of introduction and spread of infectious and/or contagious diseases by following the species specific health requirements as below.
NEW FOR 2013
Avian Influenza Testing is NOT required for Maryland Poultry for exhibition in Maryland.
*Avian Influenza testing is still required for Out-of-state poultry coming to Maryland exhibitions
Continued Policies From 2012
There is no requirement for review, approval and stamping of the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) prior to the animals going to the fair, show or exhibition.
Requirements for Sponsors of a Livestock/Poultry Exhibition (COMAR 15.11.14.05)
- Notification: Notification shall be made to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Animal Health Section Headquarters, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, of intent to sponsor an event that includes the exhibition of animals at least 60 days before the proposed event. Click here to download the Notification Form for Livestock/Poultry Exhibition
- Reporting: Sponsors must report to the Department any animal from the exhibition suspected of having or showing obvious, apparent, or known signs of a contagious or infectious disease and/or deaths; or exclude from the exhibition premises any animal having obvious, apparent, or known signs of a contagious or infectious disease.
- Exemptions: Exemptions of this regulation may be granted. (Refer to COMAR 15.11.14.05)
General Requirements (COMAR 15.11.14.04-06)
- Exhibitor Requirements: Exhibitors at state, county, and district fairs, along with other livestock exhibitions, expositions, and shows are required to comply with regulatory provisions of the State of Maryland relating to animal health as noted in COMAR 15.11.14.04-06. These requirements are summarized below.
- Requirements Apply to All Livestock: Livestock - means those species of animals used for human food or fiber or those species of animals used for service to humans. This includes but not limited to cattle, sheep, new world camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos), goats, bison, privately owned cervids, ratites (cassowaries, kiwis, ostriches, and emus), swine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, and rabbits. Livestock does not include dogs and cats.
- Documentation: Documentation is required for entry of all livestock and is described below. Examples of forms can be obtained by clicking on links. For out of state animals, see species specific out of state requirements.
Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection - a legible record, made on an official form of the state of origin, issued by an accredited veterinarian, issued for animals being imported to or exported from this state within 30 days before the importation or exportation of the animals it describes which shows that the animals listed thereon meet the health requirements of the state of destination.
Intrastate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection - a legible record, made on an official form of the state of origin, issued by an accredited veterinarian, issued for animals being shown within the state and not crossing a state line, which shows that the animals listed thereon meet the health requirements of that state. In Maryland, good for entire show season (Jan 1-Dec 31).
Self Certification - a document signed by the owner/caretaker/transporter stating that the animals presented for exhibition are not showing any signs of, or having recent exposure to (within 21 days) infectious or contagious diseases. See species specific requirement for copies of species specific Self Certification Forms.
Test Report Forms - Testing is required for some species. Examples are shown below:
Avian Influenza Testing Report
Pullorum-Typhoid Testing Report
Coggins Test Report (Equine Infectious Anemia)
Maryland Poultry Premises Identification - All premises with poultry are required to be registered in Maryland.
- Livestock with clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases or external parasites, such as but not limited to; active lesions of ringworm with resulting loss of hair, sore mouth, caseous lymphadenitis, mange or multiple warts easily visible without close examination, are not permitted entry or allowed to remain at the exhibition.
- Upon request, a person who exhibits livestock shall present for inspection all reports, test charts, and appropriate health certificates required to accompany the livestock.
- All Maryland entries must be accompanied by an Intrastate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for show, except Equine, Poultry and Rabbits. The Intrastate CVI is valid for the entire show season (Jan 1 - Dec. 31), providing that the status of the herd or animal(s) does not change.
- The Intrastate CVI must be filled out, completed and signed by an accredited veterinarian using the proper CVI form. The veterinarian is required to send the original top (white) copy to MDA Headquarters, the middle (yellow) transport copy is to be retained by the owner of the livestock and the last (pink) copy is for the veterinarian's records.
- All out-of-state entries must be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. An APPROVED copy of this certificate must be forwarded by the State of Origin to the Animal Health Section. The Interstate CVI is valid for 30 days from the date of inspection.
- Each animal must be properly identified on the Intrastate or Interstate CVI.
- Self-Certification forms must be filled out within 24 hours prior to loading and presented upon request to the designated representative.
Species Specific Requirements
In addition to the general requirements above, specific requirements by species can be found on their relative species pages:
Please Note:
*Maryland Law provides penalties for violations of Animal Health Law and Regulations.
*Livestock failing to meet Health Requirements will be denied entry or removed from the exhibition - “REJECTED”.
See Animal Health Rejection Policy