By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

URBANA, Ill. — 4-H and FFA members planning to exhibit animals at the 2008 Illinois State Fair can complete the mandatory Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification through a new website established by the University of Illinois extension at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec

Extension animal systems educator Dave Seibert said the new site is an improvement over the previous one.

“The new website allows exhibitors to move easily between the six different modules and does not require the downloading of any additional software,” he said.

Since 2006, goats and poultry have been added as “new” species requiring certification, compelling those wishing to show them to complete the certification process.

“This website will be the only approved method in 2008 and future years, as approved by the Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Advisory Committee,” said Seibert. “State Fair Junior Horse Show exhibitors must complete certification prior to June 9. Exhibitors in beef, swine, dairy, goats and poultry must complete certification before July 1.”

According to the UoI Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification website, when exhibiting animals, quality assurance is:

•Providing proper care of animals at home and at the fair

•Never compromising animals’ quality and safety of products

•Following the Illinois State Fair requirements for drug residue and testing (this applies to nonmarket as well as market animals)

•Complying with the rules of Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act
When exhibiting animals, ethics means:

•Making sure each animal’s records and entries are correct, including age, breed, weight and ownership papers

•Keeping the promises exhibitors made by signing the Illinois State Fair Affidavit, including promises that 1) livestock exhibits have been cared for and maintained by the exhibitor and his or her immediate family, 2) exhibitors will follow the rules of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act and 3) exhibitors will follow all fair rules on animal care, grooming and market eligibility (special rules apply to horse and pony exhibits)

Why must Junior exhibitors complete certification?

•The benefits and purpose of animal projects
•Requirements while caring for animals
•Safe and allowable uses of animal medications
•Proper animal requirements for nutrition, management, environment, safe handling and transportation

Those exhibitors who register will be going through the following steps to complete certification: register online; complete sections on benefits, purpose, care and medicine; select and complete species section; and print the “certificate of completion” for personal records. Local 4-H or extension offices will be sent a confirmation letter of completed certification.

Exhibitors are required to complete the training process only once in order to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair, and those who have completed the training previously need not apply for recertification.
Questions about Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification can be directed to Seibert at 309-694-7501.