Important Notice to Animal Owners involved in showing animals at Shows

The Irish Shows Association would advise all Animal owners who have their Animals Insured to have the Insurance cover extended to cover them while showing Animals at Shows.  It may cost very little or nothing at all depending on who you have insurance with.

The reason for giving this advice is that if your animal were to injure someone or damage someone's property, and it is established that your animal was out of your control at that time; you may be held responsible or partly responsible for any injury or damage caused, and could end up paying all, or part of any Court Award or settlement reached.

Note for Information regarding Movement of Bovine to Shows

The Department of Agriculture implemented a number of changes on 4th February 2019 which changed the procedures and criteria applicable when applying for a Certificate of Compliance for the movement of cattle. These also impact on the certificate which is required when moving bovine to a Show. The following sets out the criteria applicable:

▶ The movement of cattle to and from an Agriculture Show within the State must be recorded on the Animal Identification and Movement System (AIM).

▶ In line with these changes a specific certificates of Compliance for the “Movement of Bovine from a Single Holding to a Show” must now be requested prior to the movement of animals concerned.

▶ These certificates can be created by (i) applying on-line using their agfood account or (ii) where the keeper is not on line the certificate can be generated by the local Regional Veterinary Office following receipt of a NBAS31K with issue of the certificate being subject to normal criteria applicable. This form will be available on the Department’s Website and will also be included with the Show Circular when issued.

▶ When applying for this certificate the destination herd / or Show number is not required. The certificate generated will include an “S” symbol.

▶ The Certificate of Compliance for a Show will continue to be valid for a period of up to 30 days. As is currently the case these can be used for the movement of animals to a number of shows during the validity period of the certificate.

▶ Please also note—Calves which are less than 10 days cannot be moved to a Show. As is currently the case the Movement Notification Section of the Certificate should be Completed by the Keeper and the Show Secretary who must clearly indicate the Show Number. The Show movement should be recorded on the passport. Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling these requirements lies with the Show Secretary. If the animals move to a herd other than the source herd, the new destination herd must complete and sign the certificate also. Completed forms should be sent by the Show Secretary to the local RVO within 7 days of the Show.

Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

IRISH SHOWS ASSOCIATION NOTICE

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Certificate of Compliance Requirements

On the day of the Show, the Certificate of Compliance should be presented to the Show Secretary. The keeper and the Show Secretary will then sign the Movement Notification section of the Certificate which will then must be sent to the local RVO for recording onto the AIM system.

Important Notice The (name of show) Committee, acting by itself or through its Agents/ Officers, reserves the right to reject or cancel any entry or entries made by or on behalf of any person, corporate or other entity and may direct the removal of any animal or other exhibit from the showing ring or display area and/or from the Showgrounds, if the Committee and/ or its Agents/Officers shall deem it fit to do so, without offering any explanation or reason for so doing and without incurring any liability whatsoever to any such Applicant/Exhibitor or his/her/its Agent.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It is vitally important that all Show Secretaries comply with the rule & make sure to send back the Certificate of Compliance to your Local RVO Office within Seven Days of your Show taking place as failure to do so is causing untold problems to exhibitors. After submissions from affiliated Shows on Judging of Calves & the need judged them by weight rather than by age at Shows The Irish Shows Association Cattle Sub Committee have put forward the following recommendation on use of live weight for calf classes e.g. Calves under 12 months not to exceed 460 kg (Autumn born calves and Calves under 6 months) it recommends that the weight should not exceed 320kg)

Another suggestion is to use no more than 1.7kg live weight gain per day from the birth date to the show date

NEW RULE FOR EXHIBITORS

If a qualified exhibitor does not turn up to an ISA final without giving prior notice to the ISA office or to a board member he or she will incur a financial penalty

MADAÍ / Dogs

  • Caithfear do mhadadh a choinneáil ar iall / Your dog must be kept on a leash.

  • Níl cead madaidh a bheith sa pháirc nuair atá seó an eallaigh nó seó na gcaorach ag dul ar aghaidh. Níl cead acu a bheith sna hollphubaill ach oiread. /  Dogs are not allowed in the livestock arena when the cattle or sheep showing is going on. They are not allowed in the marquee area.

  • Is é/í an t-úinéir amháin atá freagrach as madadh s’acu fhéin agus as salachar an mhadaidh. / The owner is solely responsible for their own dog and for the dog's fouling.

Horses and other Equines

Premises Registration

As from 1st May 2012, any premises (which includes shows, fairs and markets) where horses or other equines are gathered must be registered with the Department.

Owners / persons in charge of such gatherings are required to submit a completed application form for registration and to keep records of movements on/off their premises. (This rule does not apply in Northern Ireland).  Records must be retained for at least 3 years as they may be required by the Department for the purposes of tracing disease.

Records required are:

  • The name and address of the owner / person in charge of the premises from which the equine came.
  • Premises registration number from which the equine came.
  • Passport number/UEL number of the animal.

It is important therefore that Show organisers should contact their local District Veterinary Office in advance so that consideration can be given to compliance with requirements outlined above.

Any further information on the requirements for moving horses anad equines to shows will be provided on the Department's website at:  http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalidentifcationmovement.  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Important Notice:

Horse-riding is a dangerous sport and all competitors in Ridden Classes are strongly advised, for their own safety, to wear appropriate head gear that complies with up to date safety standards.