State Regulations

For Health Requirement Information:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare
State Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL. 62794-9281
(217) 782-4944

2024 Illinois Exhibition Health Requirements
County Fairs
Dr. Laura Bellinghausen * Dr. Brenna Miniscalco
Veterinarian * Peotone Animal Hospital

CERTIFICATES OF VETERINARY INSPECTION AND/OR TEST RECORDS MUST BE
AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT ANY TIME WHILE ANIMALS ARE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
These Exhibition Health Requirements apply to all livestock present at the fair including those animals
that are not entered in competitive events.

Exhibitors are required to familiarize themselves with all rules applicable to their exhibits.
All out-of-state animals shall require an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx.
All animals, except as noted, shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) which shows that the animal meets all health requirements for the State of Illinois. CVI’s shall be made available to Bureau of Animal Health Personnel on request. If an official electronic CVI is utilized, the exhibitor should be able to log on and show Bureau of Animal Health Personnel the completed CVI.
CVI means a legible record made on an official form from the state of origin which has been issued, signed and dated by an accredited veterinarian and which shows the name and address of the animal’s owner or exhibitor and the results of all required tests or vaccinations. A CVI shall list only one animal identification per line; shall be presented on the form on which it was initially issued; and shall not be corrected, changed or altered in any manner.
All animals shall be officially identified. The animal(s) official identification shall be recorded on the CVI.
If animals are from tuberculosis accredited, brucellosis certified, pseudorabies qualified, or brucellosis validated herds, the identifying herd number(s) along with the date of the last herd test(s) shall appear on the CVI.
CVI for out-of-state livestock shall be void thirty (30) days after issuance.
CVI for Illinois-origin livestock shall be void ninety (90) days after issuance.
All livestock shall be subject to examination upon entry to any Illinois fair or exhibition. Any animal showing evidence of infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases shall be immediately withdrawn and held in quarantine at the owner’s risk and expense until properly treated and recovered, or until the animal is released to return to the owner’s premise.
Any livestock infected with scabies, mange, active lesions of ringworm, soremouth, or multiple warts which are easily visible without close examination shall not be permitted to exhibit and are subject to quarantine or removal from the fairgrounds.
Sheep and goats with caseous lymphadenitis as evidenced by draining abscesses shall not be exhibited and are subject to immediate quarantine or removal from the fairgrounds.
In the event of the suspicion of or diagnosis of a foreign animal disease, emerging animal disease, or other actionable disease, animals may be subject to quarantine on the fairgrounds until such time that it is determined that the disease is no longer a threat.
Illinois Department of Agriculture personnel or designee may collect blood, tissue, milk, or urine samples from any animal being exhibited and/or raced at any Illinois fair to test for the presence of illegal drugs or banned substances. Examination techniques, such as ultrasound, may also be used at any time while the animals are on the grounds of any Illinois fair or exhibit.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture or designee may collect urine, blood, tissue, or other test samples from exhibition animals at the time of slaughter.
All exhibitors of animals at any Illinois fair or exhibition shall comply with the provisions of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act. If violations are observed, the animals(s) will be excused from exhibition and ordered removed from the grounds with all awards being forfeited.
Any practice or deviation from normal, accepted care, including physical, medical or mechanical application, shall constitute a violation of show rules and may result in the animal(s) disqualification and removal from the fairgrounds.
Any Illinois cattle, bison, cervidae or goats being exhibited in non-accredited free states must be isolated from the remainder of the herd/flock upon return to Illinois and retested for tuberculosis 60-120 days post-entry.

CATTLE

Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be either a fully healed and legible tattoo, approved official ear tag, registration number (can only be used if the tattoo is recorded on the registration certificate or for breeds where pictures are acceptable), or individual brand, if brand is recorded on the registration certificate.

Beginning in 2025, individual identification of each animal shall be a USDA official animal identification number ear tag, ("840"tag). The tag must be able to be read both visually and electronically.

Illinois Cattle
Brucellosis
Illinois is a Bovine Brucellosis Class-Free State. Brucellosis testing is not required for Illinois cattle.
Tuberculosis
Illinois is an Accredited Tuberculosis- Free State. Tuberculin test is not required for Illinois cattle.

Please note: Illinois calves under 6 months of age, and Illinois steers are not required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

Out-of-State-Cattle
All out-of-state cattle are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

Brucellosis

Female cattle six (6) months of age and older and bulls eighteen (18) months of age and
older shall be negative to an official test for brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to entry,
unless exempt by one (1) of the following:
A. Originate directly from a certified brucellosis-free herd.
B. Official vaccinates of dairy breeds under twenty (20) months of age or official vaccinates of beef breeds under twenty-four (24) months of age.
C. Animal originated from a “Class Free” state (if entire state is so classified)
D. Steers and spayed heifers are not required to be tested for brucellosis.
The negative brucellosis test shall be conducted at a state or federal laboratory within 30 days prior to exhibition.

Tuberculosis

Accredited Tuberculosis Free States
A. No tuberculin test required. All cattle, including steers, originating from an Accredited
Tuberculosis Free State, may enter Illinois for exhibition when accompanied by a CVI
issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days.
Non-Accredited Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free)
A. Cattle must originate from a herd where a complete herd test was conducted within the past year.
B. The individual animals entering Illinois must be negative to an additional tuberculin test conducted within 30 days prior to exhibition.
C. Cattle that enter Illinois for exhibition and remain in Illinois (animal does not return to the state of origin within 30 days) must be isolated and retested for TB 60-120 days from the last official TB test date.

SWINE

Illinois Swine
Identification

Swine shall be identified by an official ear tag, tattoo or recognized breed ear notch.
Ear notch identification is acceptable for all barrows, crossbred gilts and breeding swine.
(Note: Ear notch identification of crossbred swine does not satisfy USDA identification requirements for interstate movement or official testing.)

Brucellosis
Brucellosis testing is not required for Illinois swine.
Pseudorabies
Pseudorabies testing is not required for Illinois swine.
Out-of-State Swine
All out-of-state swine are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

Identification
1. Individually identified by an official ear tag, tattoo or recognized breed ear notch.
2. Ear notch identification is not acceptable for crossbred animals.

Brucellosis
1. Breeding swine 4 months of age and older shall be negative to an official test for brucellosis within 30 days prior to exhibition unless exempt by one (1) of the following:
A. Originate immediately and directly from a validated brucellosis-free herd.
B. Originate directly from a validated brucellosis-free state.
2. Swine brucellosis tests for exhibition shall be conducted at a state or federal laboratory.

Pseudorabies
1. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage IV or V state are exempt from the pseudorabies testing requirement.
2. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage III state shall be negative to an official test for pseudorabies conducted within thirty (30) days prior to entry or originate immediately and directly from a qualified pseudorabies negative herd.
3. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage I or II state shall be negative to an official test for pseudorabies conducted within the 10 days prior to entry.
4. Barrows and females in market classes must meet the same requirements as breeding swine.

SHEEP

Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be by an ear tattoo or official metal or plastic tag.
A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.
Ear tattoos may be used when a registration certificate, listing the tattoo number, accompanies the animal.
When using ear tags, the tag must indicate the premises ID and state of origin. The tag number must be assigned by a state or APHIS representative and recorded in the Scrapie Record Database.

Market Lambs
All market lambs must be slick shorn (show ring ready) before weigh-in so that show lamb
fungus can be identified.

Illinois Sheep
1. Sheep originating from a flock that has previously been classified as either an infected or source flock can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd flock plan.
2. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

Out-of-State Sheep

All out-of-state sheep are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

1. Sheep originating from a flock that has previously been classified as either an infected or source flock can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd flock plan.
2. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

GOATS

Identification

Individual identification of each animal shall be by an ear tattoo or official metal or plastic tag. A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.
Tattoos may be used when a registration certificate, listing the tattoo number, accompanies the animal.
When using ear tags, the tag must indicate the premises ID and state of origin. The tag number must be assigned by a state or APHIS representative and recorded in the Scrapie Record Database.
Ears should be used for tattooing when possible. If there is no space in the ear, the flank or tail fold may be used.

Illinois Goats

Goats originating from a herd that has previously been classified as either an infected or source herd or can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd plan.
The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

Out-of-State Goats

All out-of-state goats are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

Goats originating from a herd that has previously been classified as either an infected or source herd can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd plan.
Tuberculosis- Goats from areas or states that are not Accredited Bovine Tuberculosis Free, must be accompanied by a CVI indicating that the goats originated from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within the past twelve (12) months and the individual animals are negative to a tuberculin test conducted within thirty (30) days prior to entry. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

HORSES, PONIES, MULES AND OTHER EQUIDAE

Illlinois Equine

All horses and other equidae, twelve (12) months of age and older attending an advertised equine event, shall be accompanied by a negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) conducted within the last twelve (12) months. A copy of this test shall accompany the animal.
AGID (Coggins) or ELISA tests are accepted.
An advertised equine event means a show, rodeo, sale, auction, exhibition, trail ride, or horse fair that is posted or media promoted.
A CVI is not required for Illinois equine.

Out-of-State Equine

All out-of-state equine are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

All horses and other equidae entering Illinois that are twelve (12) months of age or older, shall be accompanied by a negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) conducted within the last twelve (12) months. A copy of this test shall accompany the animal.
AGID (Coggins) or ELISA tests are accepted.
All horses and other equidae shall be accompanied by a CVI issued within thirty (30) days prior to entry.

POULTRY

All entries (except waterfowl, i.e. domesticated fowl that normally swim, such as ducks and geese) in a show or exhibition shall have originated from a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent hatchery or flock OR have a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days prior to exhibition. Exhibitor shall show proper information as to name and address of owner or exhibitor, name and address of the authorized testing agent, date of the testing and the number, breed, and species of those tested.
Prior to being used to transport poultry to a show, all crates, boxes, containers and vehicles shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Any poultry vaccinations must be performed at least 4 weeks prior to delivery to the show.
Upon admission to a show, all entries shall be examined by the official county fair veterinarian or qualified state personnel who shall also receive and examine all certificates necessary for admission of birds to a show. Birds not in show condition will be excused from exhibition and removed from the premises. Any fowl showing signs of illness during the fair will be removed from the exhibition grounds.
All out-of-state turkeys must originate from flocks that are officially classified as U.S. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Clean in accordance with the provisions of the National Poultry Improvement Plan or be negative to a test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum within 30 days prior to entry.
A permit is required for out-of-state poultry. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

CERVIDAE

(Deer, Elk, Reindeer, Caribou, Moose, Red Deer and other related species)

Identification
All animals shall be individually identified with an approved tag, microchip or tattoo. Elk are required to have two official/approved unique identifiers.

Illinois Cervidae
Chronic Wasting Disease

For cervidae changing ownership or moving within the State, the owner must obtain a permit issued by the Department prior to movement and the cervid must originate from a herd that is enrolled in the Certified Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program or the Contained Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease Program. The permit shall be obtained no more than 72 hours in advance of the movement of the cervids by providing the following information:
A) Name and complete mailing address of person exhibiting the cervids;
B) Certified Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease or Contained Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease Herd number;
C) Name and complete mailing address of location where the animals will be exhibited;
D) Number of animals and unique identification of the animals.

Tuberculosis
Illinois is an Accredited Tuberculosis- Free State. Tuberculin test is not required for Illinois cervidae.

Out-of-State Cervidae
Chronic Wasting Disease

All cervidae entering Illinois must be in compliance with the Illinois Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5]. For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217/782-6384.
All cervidae entering Illinois must be accompanied by a permit from the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that:
a. has been issued by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin or a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture;
b. is approved by the Animal Health Official of the state of origin;
c. shows that the cervidae are free from visible evidence of any contagious, infectious or communicable disease or exposure thereto, do not originate from a CWD endemic area (any county and surrounding counties where CWD has been diagnosed in the past five years);
d. shows that the cervidae are not originating from a herd under quarantine for any contagious, infectious or communicable disease;
e. shows that the animals originate from a herd that has been monitored for at least 5 years under a state-approved CWD certification program.
A permit number can be obtained by applying online at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Animals/AnimalHealth/Documents/permiterequestform.pdf
a. Name and post office mailing address of Illinois destination.
b. Name and post office mailing address of the consignor and/or source herds;
c. Name and post office mailing address of the herd veterinarian;
d. Number and unique identification of cervidae in shipment.

Brucellosis
Cervidae six (6) months of age and older must have a negative brucellosis card or PCFIA test within sixty (60) days prior to entry.

Tuberculosis

Accredited Tuberculosis Free States
All cervidae twelve (12) months of age and over shall be negative to two (2) single cervical test for bovine TB no less than ninety (90) days apart with the second test conducted within ninety (90) days prior to entry. These animals shall be isolated from all other members of the herd during the testing period unless they originate from an accredited, qualified or monitored herd.
A. Cervidae from an accredited herd may be moved into Illinois without further TB testing provided that a certificate stating that such cervids originated from an accredited herd accompanies them.
B. Cervidae originating from qualified or monitored herds may enter with a negative test within ninety (90) days prior to entry and a certificate stating that the animals originate from a monitored herd.
Non-Accredited Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free)
A. All cervidae shall originate from a herd where a complete herd test was conducted within the past year.
B. The individual animals entering Illinois must be negative to two (2) additional tuberculin tests conducted within 180 and 30 days prior to entry or exhibition.

RATITES*

(Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Cassowaries and Kiwis)

Illinois Ratites
There are no requirements governing the movement of ratites within Illinois.

Out-of-State Ratites

Must be accompanied by a CVI and permit number. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx
Individually identified by leg band or microchip.
Negative test for Avian Influenza within 10 days prior to entry.

PIGEONS

There are no requirements governing the movements of pigeons within or into Illinois.

RABBITS

There are no requirements governing the movements of rabbits within or into Illinois.

LLAMAS

There are no requirements governing the movement of llamas within Illinois. A permit and health certificate is required for out-of-state llamas. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx