Guiding Principle: APPROVED 2/20/1996 4-H Livestock Subcommittee ENDORSED 5/28/1996 Waterford Fair Assoc. 4-H and FFA Livestock Committee Updated November 2013 Updated November 2017 ERE COUNTY 4-H LVESTOCK PROGRAM CODE OF ETHCS REGARDNG QUALTY ASSURANCE AND ANMAL CARE A livestock project carries with it a responsibility to humanely care for, feed, show, and market animals in a way that guarantees consumers a safe, high-quality food product. naccepting this responsibility, 4-H and FFA members, parents, volunteer leaders, extension staff, advisors, and show and sale persounel agree to the following Erie County 4-H Livestock Program Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics must be signed by both the member and his/her parent or guardian before an animal is identified as on feed for the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale and will be in effect at all Erie County 4-H/Youth Development Program and Waterford Fair Association livestock shows, sales and events. Any violation of the Code or of additional specific rules established by Erie County 4-H/Youth Development Program or the Waterford Fair Association will result in the forfeiture of premiums and awards and in disqualification, and may result in probationary status or loss of eligibility for future participation in organized livestock competitions at the county, regional, state or interstate levels. Possible criminal or civil penalties may be imposed by the proper authorities based on evidence provided by show and sale committee members against exhibitors in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or animal mistreatment, neglect and abandonment laws that apply at the local, state or federal levels. CODE OF ETHCS:. Livestock carried as 4-H and FFA projects or entered in the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale will at all times be provided with ample fresh water, adequate feed to meet the nutritional needs of the animal at its stage of maturity, and adequate and safe housing. 2. 4-H and FFA members and their families will establish a valid veterinary-client relationship and work in consultation with that veterinarian to provide necessary health care for all animals. Health care practices shall include worming, use of appropriate disease prevention and control measures, and proper methods of treatment and vaccination. 3. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will use appropriate training methods and do nothing in handling and training an animal that will cause any unnecessary pain or that may cause bruising, scarring or unnecessary stress. 4. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will observe all withdrawal times when using drugs, medicines, and other animal health products as described on the label and in consultation with their veterinarian. Such withdrawal times are a safeguard to ensure that the drug has exited the animal's system prior to its slaughter for human consumption. Licensed veterinarians should be advised of the animal's intended use prior to prescribing drugs and medications. 1
5. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will use drugs only for the purpose as described on the label. Extra-label drug use without a licensed veterinarian's prescription is illegal. 6. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will not use tranquilizers, sedatives or depressants iu animals intended for human consumption. A licensed veterinarian may prescribe such drugs as treatment for a recognized disease or injury. Drugs prescribed for such treatment must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in meat producing animals, and all withdrawal times must be observed. 7. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will advise show management of any drugs or medications administered to an animal that might be detected at the time of showing or at meat inspection. The name of the drug, its purpose, the name of the person who administered the drug, and the time and date of administration will be presented to show management prior to the show or sale of the animal. Failure to report this information as required will result in severe penalty or disqualification. 8. At no time will 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help or assistance administer drugs or substances to livestock that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Use of such illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Such drugs include, but are not limited to Clenbuterol and injectable anabolic substances. The show management reserves the right to test animals for illegal drugs. Use of any illegal drug or substance not approved by the Food and Drug Administration will result in severe penalty or disqualification and possible criminal and civil penalties. 9. fan animal needs treatment for any injury or disease during the livestock show or sale, such treatment will be provided by a licensed veterinarian approved by the show management, and all medications will be administered by the veterinarian. 10. Surgery or injection or insertion of foreign material under the skin or into the flesh of an animal to change the natural contour, conformation or appearance of the animal's body is not permitted. This includes the use of vegetable oil, silicon or any other substance used to alter the shape of the animal. 11. At no time will 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help or assistance use inhumane or unethical fitting, showing, and handling practices or devices. Use of unacceptable practices may result in severe penalty or disqualification and possible criminal and civil penalties. Unacceptable practices include, but are not limited to: Applying electrical, mechanical, or other appliances to stimulate livestock. Hitting, striking, beating, or otherwise impacting livestock to induce swelling or for the purpose of enhancing, transforming, or changing the true conformation, configuration or appearance of the livestock. Using ice internally or el(temally for purposes of enhancement. Using a stomach tube or pump for any purpose other than the relief of tympany or gas. Breaking of tails. Using graphite, powders, hemp, artificial hair coloring, or common products such as fly spray, ointment or liniment if used to the point of irritation. Using dyes, spray paint or other artificial coloring that result in altering an animal's true and natural appearance or color. Adding false hair or hair-like material, fleece or skin. Using any liquid or substance not considered part of an accepted and normal diet for livestock (i.e. the use of alcoholic or carbonated beverages as a drench or filler). Using any product or practice to reduce the water content and weight of an animal before it is weighed, including using diuretics. 2
Acceptable management practices inclnde: Adding gelatin, powdered drink mix, molasses or other sweeteners to drinking water in nominal amounts to encourage water consumption. Hoof trimming. Shearing or clipping an animal's wool or hair on its body, legs or head to enhance its appearance or to make it more comfortable. Adding molasses or other sweeteners to feed to encourage consumption. Using properly administered and approved implants. Dehoming. Tattooing. Eartagging. Hot or freeze branding. Castration. Docking. Enhancing an animal's appearance through the use of accepted livestock fitting practices and products. Fitting products should be used according to label directions and necessary precautions should be taken to protect animal and human welfare when using products that contain potentially hazardous chemicals such as methylene chloride or toluene. 12. 4-H and FFA members are expected to fit their own animals in preparation for shows. Fitting includes clipping, using adhesives and other grooming for show prep. f an Erie County 4-H member shows a breeding animal in a fitting class or contest at the 4-H Roundup or Waterford Fair, that animal must be fit in accordance with the same rules and policies that apply to the fitting of market animals. During the Waterford Fair, physical assistance may be provided by other 4-H and FFA members; Erie County, PA parents, siblings, and current leaders. The 4-H member must be present and participating actively in the hands on fitting process. A member faced with disqualification will be entitled to a hearing before the sale selection committee as identified in the annual sale rules. (Actively involved and hands on means - participating in the brushing, combing, clipping, spraying grooming products. Member is not to be standing and only watching or eating or on an electronic device, etc.) 13. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help or assistance will not directly criticize or interfere with thejudge, show management, other exhibitors or show officials before, during or after the show. Such criticism or interference constitutes poor sportsmanship and may result in penalties or disqualification. 14. 4-H and FFA members and their families, volunteer leaders, and others providing help and assistance will follow show policies regarding animal health requirements and certificates and will ensure that their animals meet all health requirements before presenting the animals at the showgrounds. Health requirements protect all of the animals at the showgrounds as well as animals back home. Failure to comply with show health requirements will result in disqualification. 15. 4-H and FFA members and their families will be held directly responsible for the animal if it is rejected at a processing plant due to the presence of foreign residues (illegal drugs, injection or insertion of foreign material under the skin, topical use of hazardous chemicals, etc.). The seller 3
may be liable to the buyer for the purchase price of the animal and may also be liable for any attorney's fees and civil penalties. 16. 4-H livestock record books are due to leaders by October 15 and may be collected by the Livestock Subcommittee for review. nmaking entry into the Erie County 4-H/Youth Development Livestock Program or the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale, the undersigned verify that they have read the Erie County Livestock Program Code of Ethics and understand the consequences of the penalties involved for illegal, unethical, inhumane, and unfair practices of competition. The undersigned also verify that they understand that they may be prohibited from future participation in organized fairs and livestock competitions at the county, regional, state or interstate levels and could face possible criminal prosecution or civil penalties if implicated in any illegal acts. naddition, the undersigned certify that the animal(s) listed below will be presented for show and sale free of any substance(s) that would adulterate meat. Substances and circumstances considered adulterous include: (1) the use of unapproved drugs, (2) extra-label drug use without supervision of a licensed veterinarian, and (3) failure to observe proper withholding times. Print 4-H or FFA Member's Name 4-H or FFA Member's Signature Signature of Parent/Guardian (Exhibitor's Copy-Please retain for yonr records) Revised and updated to include PennState Disclosure Statement intent and information. Revised 3/14/02. Updated October 2013 Updated December 2015 Updated November 2017 4
ERE COUNTY 4-H LVESTOCK PROGRAM CODE OF ETDCS REGARDNG QUAL'Y ASSURANCE AND ANMAL CARE (Extension Office Copy-Please return to Extension Educator at time of animal identification for Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale) nmaking entry into the Erie County 4-H'Youth Development Livestock Program or the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale, the undersigned verify that they have read the Erie County 4-H Livestock Program Code of Ethics and understand the consequences of the penalties involved for illegal, unethical, inhumane, and unfair practices of competition. The undersigned also verify that they understand that they may be prohibited from future participation in organized fairs and livestock competitions at the county, regional, state, or interstate levels and could face possible criminal prosecution or civil penalties if implicated in any illegal acts. n addition, the undersigned certify that the animal(s) listed below will be presented for show and sale free of any substance(s) that would adulterate meat. Substances and circumstances considered adulterous include: (1) the use of unapproved drugs, (2) extra-label drug use without supervision of a licensed veterinarian, and (3) failure to observe proper withholding times. Print 4-H or FFA Member's Name 4-H or FFA Member's Signature Print Parent/Guardian Name as itwill appear in sale catalog Parent/Guardian Signature Species Color Gender Eartag Number