By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — While Hoosier livestock exhibitors clean, trim and train show-stoppers for the summer fairs, one thing will be different this year.

They don’t need health papers to show at the Indiana State Fair, and they don’t need papers to show at county fairs, according Denise Derrer, public information officer for the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH).

“A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI, commonly known as health papers) will not be required by Indiana exhibitors at Indiana fairs anymore,” confirmed Derrer. “However, if a county fair wants to require it, it’s up to them.”

Derrer said that health papers are an “old-fashioned way of doing things,” and thanks to the Premise ID program, records for each exhibitor can be managed and traced electronically.”

“The Premise ID program was a key in catapulting the change away from the CIVs,” she added. “Any animal coming to the fairs this year, as far as cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, are required to have a Premise ID number, by them doing that, it allows us to drop the CIV requirement.”

Currently, all Indiana livestock farms and those who wish to exhibit at the Indiana State Fair are required to have a premise ID number by BOAH. Derrer said it is optional for horses, rabbit, poultry and other animals to have an ID number.

“4-Hers were notified that this would be a new requirement through local Extension offices and in the state fair book,” she said. “The State Fair has been very supportive of this decision and they have been integral in helping us spread the word about the new change for exhibitors this year.”

Historically, Indiana exhibitors were asked to have a 90-day CIV signed from a local veterinarian. Derrer said that 4-H exhibitors tend to have a difficult time getting the attention of a large animal veterinarian to complete a health paper visit, due to the shortage of vets in the state.

Reviewing the value of health papers

Also, BOAH wanted to review the true value of a CIV on day one versus day 90.

“It’s not the same on the 89th day that is the day is it written,” Derrer said. “(The health paper) really only reflects a snap snot and is not a clear bill of health for the animal for 90 days. An animal can move in and out of county fairs and barns throughout the summer, catch a disease and it still wouldn’t be reflected on a 90-day health paper.”

According to Derrer, BOAH hosted a public hearing and received comments from numerous veterinarians and exhibitors largely in favor of abolishing the health paper requirement.

“What we wanted to do was recognize the hard work of commodity groups and industry groups to eradicate certain diseases that are of concern to the state,” said Derrer. “Since we’ve realized disease free status, we saw it as an opportunity to review individual health requirements to show at county and state shows. The Premise ID number for every exhibitor will allow us to store information electronically, and in case there is a disease outbreak, an animal can be traced easily.”

However, all out-of-state animals will still be required to have a clear certificate of veterinary inspection in order to show at Indiana fairs.

For more information, visit the BOAH website at www.in.gov/boah

This farm news was published in the June 13, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.