Michigan Department of Agriculture

P.O. Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909

Animal Industry Division: (517) 373-1077

Fairs, Racing, and Exhibitions: (517) 373-7960

 

REVISED January 2024 (Replaces all previous editions)

*Livestock means those species of animals used for human food and fiber or those species of animals used for service to humans. Livestock includes but is not limited to cattle, sheep, new world camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos), goats, bison, captive cervidae, ratites (cassowaries, kiwis, ostriches, and emus), swine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, and rabbits. Livestock does not include dogs and cats.

 

GENERAL

Exhibitors at state, county, and district fairs, along with other livestock exhibitions, expositions, and shows are required to comply with all statutory and regulatory provisions of the State of Michigan relating to animal health outlined in Act No. 466 of the Public Acts of 1988, as amended, the Animal Industry Act, and rules promulgated for the implementation and enforcement of the act.

 

1. A fair shall have an accredited veterinarian on call whenever there are animals on the premises during the fair. A fair, exhibition, exposition, or show authority shall do all of the following as described herein: a. Notify exhibitors of health tests and certificates required for importation and exhibition in this state. b. Examine and approve required health certificates, reports, test charts, certificates, or other required documentation before displaying, exhibiting, or stabling the animals in the exhibition area or before commingling with other animals. c. Notify exhibitors whether or not poultry vaccinated against Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) are allowed in the fair, exhibition, exposition, or show. d. Assure that all participating equine test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA).

 

2. Livestock with clinical signs of infectious, contagious, or toxicological disease shall be removed from the fair, exhibition, exposition, or show or, by permission of the director, shall be isolated on the premises. Livestock that have known exposure to, or that show clinical signs of, infectious, contagious, or toxicological disease as determined by a veterinarian shall not be displayed or housed at a fair, exhibition, exposition or show unless permission to do so is granted by the director. The fair, exhibition, exposition, or show authority is responsible for ensuring that the livestock are removed from the premises.

 

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVESTOCK EXHIBITED IN MICHIGAN

For detailed animal health requirements, please visit the Michigan Department of agriculture website at www.michigan.gov/mda-exhibitinfo for more information. Printed copies of the health requirements can also be obtained from the Muskegon County Extension office and the Muskegon County Fairgrounds office.