All Animals:

The animal health regulations of the Veterinary Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be strictly enforced, and decisions of the regulatory veterinarian concerning animal health status are final. No animals may be unloaded on the fairgrounds before being inspected and approved by the regulatory veterinarian during their designated check-in times.

All animals not meeting the entry requirements, that have an unthrifty nature or are in an unsuitable condition, and/or are exhibiting any signs of disease or illness (including obvious abscesses that are opened or closed, ringworm, soremouth or any other signs of contagious disease) may be refused entry and will not be allowed in the barn, may be isolated and/or required to be returned to the farm of origin as determined by the regulatory veterinarian. Any questionable health problems will be referred to the regulatory veterinarian, show committee, and/or the State Veterinarian.

During the duration of the Fair, all animals of unthrifty nature, unsuitable condition and/or exhibiting any signs of disease or illness or found not to have met entry requirements after entry may be required to be isolated and/or returned to the farm of origin as determined by the regulatory veterinarian.

The Fair staff works diligently to prevent diseased animals from entering the fairgrounds, though owners should consider that animals may be exposed to infectious agents while at the Fair. It is a best management practice to keep exhibit animals returning from the Fair separate from your animals at home for 2-3 weeks. By isolating exhibited animals for this time, any animals exposed to disease while at the Fair should show signs of infection during this period. Once this period has passed, they can then be commingled with the animals that remained home.

Exhibitors are discouraged from bringing their dogs with them to the fair. If dogs must be brought, they are to remain in areas that are inaccessible to the public and must not be available for contact with the general public. Proof of rabies vaccination needs to be on hand.

Premises Registration is voluntary to exhibit livestock (beef and dairy cattle, horse, breeding swine, sheep, goats, and rabbits) and poultry at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Choosing to register your premises puts you on the frontline of controlling and preventing the spread of animal disease. A disease outbreak can’t be predicted but it can impact every segment of animal agriculture. Participation ensures that you have the information you need, when you need it most, to protect your animals and your investment. Registering a premises involves obtaining an alpha-numeric "identifier" for the farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other site where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed. If an exhibitor wants more information or wishes to register for a National or State Premises ID, the exhibitor can:

1. For more information contact (919) 707-3250 or visit http://www.ncfarmid.com, or

2. Register for a National or State Premises ID by:

a. Printing, completing, and submitting the form found at http://www.ncagr.gov/ncfarmid/registrationform.htm, or

b. By completing the request form for National Premises ID found behind the livestock entry form.

Livestock:

ALL LIVESTOCK ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ENTRANCE HEALTH EXAMINATION AT TIME OF CHECK-IN AS A PREREQUISITE FOR ENTRY ONTO THE FAIRGROUNDS AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BARNS UNTIL INSPECTED AND PASSED BY HEALTH OFFICIALS.

All livestock must have a form of identification (ear tag, tattoo, ear notch, or microchip - readers must be supplied by owner) to enter the fairgrounds.

All sheep and goats must comply with USDA and NCDA&CS Scrapie Eradication Program guidelines. Sheep and goats without a scrapie tag, or a registration paper with corresponding tattoo or microchip information at the time of check-in will not be allowed. Scrapie Flock ID numbers must be presented at the time of check-in before an approval card can be issued. The Scrapie Flock ID number is not the same as the National or State Premises ID number. To obtain a scrapie Flock ID number, please see the Goat and Sheep entry requirements section.

The use of any drug and/or chemical compound in any manner that is not approved by the FDA, including but not limited to indications and directions on species, age, dosage amounts and/or withdrawal times, is illegal and prohibited.

The owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or responsible person must notify the show management prior to admittance into the livestock barns of any animal that is being administered drugs or chemical compounds in accordance with approved FDA guidelines for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal. Acceptance of the animal for exhibition will be at the discretion of the livestock superintendent and the show veterinarian and will depend on such factors as the nature of the drug or chemical compound and justification by an accredited veterinarian with a valid client-patient relationship. Regardless, livestock will not be allowed to exhibit if use of any drugs or chemical compounds will affect the animal’s performance or appearance at the event.

Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers and/or responsible persons will be held accountable for the presence of any violative drug residue from their animal and subject to the disposition as specified below:

1. Findings of proof in intentional use of any drug or chemical compound in a manner described as illegal and prohibited by the Policy on Use of Drugs and Chemical Compounds will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of all premiums and prizes, market value of the animal (in the case of market animals), and a life-time ban on exhibiting in NCDA&CS sponsored events.

2. If proof of intentional use of any drug or chemical compound in an illegal and prohibited manner cannot be found on an animal that has been demonstrated by the above detailed laboratory methods to have the presence of such a substance, a first time offense for a positive test will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of all premiums and prizes, market value of the animal (in the case of market animals), and a one-year prohibition on exhibiting in NCDA&CS sponsored events by the exhibitor of the positive animal. A second time offense by that exhibitor for any drug or chemical compound in a manner described as illegal and prohibited will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of all premiums and prizes, market value of the animal (in the case of market animals), and a life-time ban on exhibiting in NCDA&CS sponsored events by the exhibitor of the positive animal.

Drug testing at the Fair may include, and is not limited to, the following drugs:

Acepromazine, Albuterol, Altrogest, Azaperone, Balbuterol, Boldenone, Bumetanide, Chlorpromazine and all other tranquilizers, Clenbuterol, Dexamethasone, Flumethasone, Flunixin, Furosemide, Isoetharine, Isoflupredone, Flumethasone, Methylprednisolone, Nandrolone, Paylean (labeled for swine only), Phenylbutazone, Optiflex (labled for feedlot cattle only), and Terbutaline. Paylean and Optiflex are illegal for use in sheep and goats.

Any of the species listed below entering the fairgrounds regardless of their purpose of entry must meet the requirements listed for that species.

Animals with obvious abscesses (open or unopened), ringworm, soremouth, or any other signs of contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Cattle from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian, or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and registration, tattoo, or ear tag numbers.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the cattle listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

4. Information relating to Brucellosis.

a. Those cattle which are native to North Carolina need not be tested. (Native meaning those cattle which were born in North Carolina or which have met North Carolina import requirements.)

b. Cattle originating from any certified Brucellosis free herd, regardless of the state of origin, may enter North Carolina, provided the following information is recorded on the official certificate:

i. The individual identification of each animal;

ii. The herd certification number;

iii. The date of the last herd test; and

iv. A permit when otherwise required in the rule.

c. Cattle imported from a Class Free State shall originate from a herd not under quarantine and need not be tested.

d. Cattle imported from a Class A State shall originate from a herd not under quarantine and pass a negative official blood test within 60 days prior to entry into North Carolina.

e. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Rule, a Brucellosis test is not required for steers or spayed females, and no test prior to entry in the state is required of:

i. Cattle under eight (8) months of age;

ii. Dairy heifers under 20 months of age officially vaccinated against Brucellosis

iii. Heifers of the beef breed less than 24 months of age officially vaccinated against Brucellosis;

5. Information relating to tuberculosis: A test for tuberculosis is not required for cattle which are native to North Carolina. Any cattle over 6 months of age not originating from a Tuberculosis Free state shall be required to have an official tuberculosis test within 60 days of entry, unless from an accredited herd.

Animals with obvious abscesses (open or unopened), ringworm, soremouth, or any signs of other contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Swine from out-of-state exhibitors (including market hogs) must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian, or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including age, sex, breed, and any registrations, ear tag, or ear notch numbers.

3. Statement by the veterinarian attesting that the swine listed are not infected with, or have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

4. Statement by the veterinarian that all breeding swine in the consignment originate from a Pseudorabies virus (PRV) Stage IV or V state or a Validated Brucellosis-Free and Qualified Pseudorabies-Free Herd. The herd validation qualification numbers must be listed. This requirement does not apply to market hogs.

Animals with obvious abscesses (open or unopened), ringworm, soremouth, or any signs of other contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Sheep must have been recently shorn prior to arrival to accommodate veterinary inspections. Fleece length shall not exceed 1/4 inch at arrival (exemption provided for breeding sheep shown in fleece or with fitted fleece). Animals which are not shorn will not be allowed to stall or enter the check-in line.

Goats and sheep from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and any registration, tattoo, microchip or ear tag numbers.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the goats listed are not infected with, or have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge. The health certificate shall contain a statement that the flock of origin has not had Scrapie diagnosed within the past 42 months. All goats must comply with USDA Scrapie Eradication Program guidelines. All goats must be appropriately identified and comply with USDA and NCDA&CS Scrapie Eradication Program guidelines. If you have any questions about the program or would like to request a flock identification number and tags, North Carolina residents may call (919) 707-3250 or complete and submit the North Carolina Scrapie Ear tag Order Form located behind the livestock entry form, and out-of-state participants may call 1-866-USDA Tag (873-2824).

4. Any animal showing evidence of suspicious fungal lesions must have a signed veterinarian’s statement on the health certificate with the date and type of treatment.

5. Dairy sheep and goats over six (6) months of age and sexually intact imported from out of state must have a negative brucellosis test within 30 days prior to import. All imports over six (6) months of age must have a negative tuberculosis test within 60 days prior to import unless they originate from a certified and accredited herd or are consigned for immediate slaughter.

a. The brucellosis and tuberculosis testing requirements shall not apply to goats entering the state only for exhibition purposes from states that are USDA Tuberculosis Accredited-Free and Brucellosis Certified free, when accompanied by an official health certificate. Such animals shall remain in the state for exhibition purposes for no more than 30 days from the date of issuance of the health certificate.

Animals with obvious abscesses (opened or unopened) or any other signs of contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

NCDA&CS requires that all equine six (6) months old and older must be in possession of a current negative Equine Infections Anemia (EIA) test (Coggins Certificate). The negative EIA test must be current and issued within twelve (12) months. A copy of a current (12 months) negative Coggins test certificate must be presented at check-in and unloading.

Equine from out-of-state exhibitors must also be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian or a valid equine event permit (also known as an equine passport or extended equine certificate of veterinary inspection). The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and registration, tattoo, or microchip number as applicable.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the equine listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge. Veterinarians should contact the department at (919) 707-3250 during outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis in the U.S. for additional statement requirements.

Animals with obvious abscesses (open or unopened), ringworm, soremouth, or any other signs of contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Alpacas, guanacos, llamas, and vicunas from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian. Alpacas, guanacos, llamas and vicunas are exempt from tuberculosis and brucellosis testing. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and registration, tattoo, or microchip number as applicable.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the alpacas, guanacos, llamas, or vicunas listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

Animals with signs of contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Rabbits from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or an approved state or federally employed veterinarian. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and registration, tattoo, or microchip number as applicable.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the rabbits listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

Exotic mammals with obvious abscesses (open or unopened), ringworm, soremouth, or any other signs of contagious disease WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE BARN.

Exotic mammals as defined by NCDA&CS from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or approved state or federally employed veterinarian. The health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and registration, animal identification tag, tattoo, or microchip number as applicable.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the exotic mammals listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

Exotic mammals include and are not limited to bison, buffalo and all other bovidae (other than domestic cattle), Old World camelids, etc. For applicable species, animals from out-of-state must have negative test results for brucellosis within 30 days and tuberculosis within 60 days for all animals six months old and older and must have the certification statement, "The herd of origin has had no brucellosis or tuberculosis diagnosed within the past 12 months" included on the certificate.

Birds will not be accepted which are infected with or showing any clinical signs of an infectious or communicable disease or are infested with lice and/or mites.

All chickens, turkeys and guineas must be identified with numbered tamper-proof bands. Bands placed on birds tested by state testers will satisfy this requirement. Poultry entered at the fair are subject to examination (including blood test and swabs by a representative of the NCDA&CS).

No poultry shall have received a live virus vaccine within 30 days prior to entering the fair.

All avian species from out-of-state exhibitors must be accompanied by either:

i. a current VS 9-3 NPIP form that states the birds are from a flock certified as NPIP US H5/H7 Avian Influenza (AI) clean from the state of origin or

ii. an official health certificate issued within 30 days of entry signed by an accredited veterinarian or approved state or federally employed veterinarian (5 days if they are pigeons, doves, birds of prey, psittacines, or song birds; contact NCDA&CS Veterinary Division/Poultry if there are questions regarding issuing time to entry). If an official health certificate is used, the health certificate should contain the following:

1. Name and address of exhibitor.

2. Description of each bird including breed, age, sex, other animal identification, etc.

3. A statement by the veterinarian signing the health certificate that the birds listed are not infected with, nor have been recently exposed to, any communicable disease to the best of his/her knowledge.

4. Poultry and ratites must

a. originate from Pullorum-Typhoid clean flocks or have tested negative for Pullorum-Typhoid within 30 days of entry

b. originate from an NPIP H5/H7 AI Clean or US AI Clean flock or have tested negative for Avian Influenza within 21days of entry

All in state chickens and turkeys for exhibition must originate from NPIP certified U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean flocks or have a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days of entry. The test requirements may be satisfied by a negative test conducted by an official state tester at the time the birds are brought to the fair. In state birds may be randomly selected for Avian Influenza testing at the time the birds are brought to the fair.