PIMA COUNTY
4-H AND FFA LIVESTOCK AND SMALL STOCK SHOW
CODE OF ETHICS
I. INTRODUCTION:
The Pima County 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Code of Ethics was developed as a document to direct Pima County 4-H and FFA exhibitors in the raising, grooming, feeding, and exhibiting of their livestock projects. To accomplish this, a committee composed of one youth and one adult from each of the following areas: 4-H Beef Project, 4-H Swine Project, 4-H Sheep Project, Amphi FFA, and Marana FFA was formed. Additionally, a representative from the Pima County Fair as well as the U of A Cooperative Extension 4-H Program was on the committee.
Since 1993, it has become increasingly evident that there is a nationwide need for fairs, shows, and exhibits to address and stop all forms of cheating and forms of animal abuse. In this vein, the following document drew heavily from the National Show Code of Ethics supported by the leaders of the National 4-H and FFA programs, who drew heavily from like documents from the American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association, International Association of Fairs and Expositions, and the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association.
It is imperative that all individuals involved with 4-H and FFA understand and support the importance of the ethical treatment of animals and the adherence to principles of fair play. 4-H and FFA are first and foremost, youth development organizations. The exhibition of projects is only the final stage of a process that is designed to develop responsibility, goal setting, and leadership skills in the individual. It is the hope of the committee that this document serves to guide members in determining what is acceptable treatment of animals and what are acceptable practices in the feeding, grooming and showing of livestock project animals.
II. PREAMBLE:
This code of ethics applies to anyone exhibiting animals at the Pima County Fair, any Pima County 4-H member exhibiting livestock as a 4-H member at any livestock show in the state of Arizona, any Pima County FFA member exhibiting livestock as a FFA member at any livestock show in which
4-H/FFA membership is required, and any 4-H/FFA volunteer, parent, guardian, agent and advisor who may be involved with the 4-H/FFA program. All classes of livestock and small stock offered at the event are included. This code of ethics may be supplemented by other, additional rules imposed by local organizations conducting a particular show, but they may not be displaced by local show rules.
The following practices or procedures are unacceptable and are defined as deceptive, fraudulent, unethical, and inhumane in the care, fitting, preparation and showing of all classes of livestock. The use of any illegal drugs is prohibited. Legal or illegal substances used to phenotypically alter the appearance of an animal entered in livestock events are prohibited. Use of illegal drugs is considered an intentional act, and any instance will result in disciplinary action.
THIS IS A ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT POLICY!
Adults or exhibitors who violate
the code of conduct demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and places
the livestock industry and livestock and small animals in jeopardy. Additionally, violators may be banned from
either the 4-H or FFA program, or both.
III. GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION:
1. Livestock will not be exhibited if the drugs
administered in accordance with federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and rules affect the animal’s performance or appearance at the event, except as provided by these guidelines. Animals entered in shows, which are intended to evaluate the animal for human consumption, shall meet FDA/USDA standards for drugs and drug residues. Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animals entering the food chain will not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and rules.
2. Prior to fair check-in all exhibitors will advise Project Coordinator in writing of any drugs or medications administered to an animal including the name of the drug, its purpose, the person who administered the drug, time, and date of administration. All animals entered in livestock competition are subject to drug testing.
3. If the laboratory report of the chemical analysis of saliva, blood, or other samples taken from livestock indicates the presence of unapproved or unacceptable levels of drugs or medication, it will be prima-facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. The burden to prove otherwise is upon the exhibitor.
4. Treating an animal internally or externally,
with any irritant, counter-irritant, or other
substance used to artificially change the
conformation, function or appearance of an animal for show is considered unethical, inhumane, and is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to the use of graphite, powders, hemp, artificial hair
coloring and common products such as fly spray,
ointment or liniment used to the point that they
become irritating, (unless required to reduce
edema at time of calving).
5. Any surgical procedure or injection of any substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counter-irritant, or similar substance) which could affect the animal’s performance or alter its natural contour, conformation, or appearance are prohibited, except as otherwise provided by these guidelines. Exceptions are external applications of substances to the hoofs or horns of animals which affect appearance only or surgical procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal. Changing the original color of the hair, skin, etc. is prohibited. Adding false hair to hair-like material, fleece or skin at any point, spot or area of the animal’s body is illegal using vegetable oil, silicon, or any other substance used to alter the shape of the animal. Any of these acts is also banned and will result in immediate disqualification. Acceptable practices of physical preparation, which are allowed, include clipping of hair, trimming of hooves, dehorning, or removal of ancillary teats. Animal diets shall consist of wholesome and nutritious food suitable for the species. The diet will not be manipulated to artificially enhance the desired characteristics of the animal and such practices are prohibited. For example, the use of alcoholic or carbonated beverages as a drench or filler, etc.
6.
Drenching (with water, electrolytes, and supplements only) to protect
the health of the animal will be allowed ONLY with the prior written consent
and supervision of a Veterinarian, Project Coordinator, Project Superintendent,
Barn Manager, or U of A Extension 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor.
7. Any physical procedure, practice, device,
handling or contact (such as striking) done to an
animal, which is solely and primarily intended to improve the desired characteristics of the animal, is prohibited. The use of tranquilizers, sedatives, or depressants, which alter the physical or physiological state of the animal, is illegal. The use of calf calm, pig calm or other similar products is permitted with the prior written consent of a Veterinarian, Project Coordinator, Project Superintendent, Barn Manager, or U of A Extension 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor. Any such drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in meat animals.
8. Direct argument, confrontation
or
interference with judges, show managers, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or
show officials by exhibitors, parents, or fair goers at any time is
prohibited. To facilitate the performance of their official duties, all judges, fair
and livestock show managers, or other show officials will be treated with
courtesy, cooperation, and respect. Any
violation of this guideline is subject to the same sanctions as provided
herein.
9.
No adult or exhibitor will conspire with
another person or persons to intentionally
violate this code of ethics and show rules or knowingly
contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative
action or
inaction to violate this code of ethics and show rules. Violation of this rule will subject such
individual to
disciplinary action as provided
herein.
IV. CONSEQUENCES AND PENALTIES:
General Introduction
This show Code of Ethics and Show Rules, as well as any consequences apply to 4-H/FFA volunteers, leaders, parents, guardians, agents and advisors who may be involved with those programs. The Term exhibitor as stated below is all encompassing of both youth and adults. By entering a livestock show or event, the
exhibitor is verifying that he or she has read this document, agrees to be bound by its provisions and understands the consequences and penalties for violation herein.
1. The exhibitor further understands and agrees
that he or she may be prohibited from future participation
in organized fairs and livestock shows in this county, the State of
2. Additionally, the exhibitor further
understands and agrees that his or her future participation in 4-H or FFA or both may be limited, or prohibited. In addition, the exhibitor may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil penalties, or both.
3. Any animal which is determined to have
been given any substance not approved by FDA or that exceeds FDA approved residue for any drug for that species will be disqualified from competition. Veterinarians may provide written script for drugs or medication, as per FDA/USDA Guidelines, but the exhibitor is responsible to meet the residue tolerance for such applications.
4. Exhibitors of animals that have been
disqualified will forfeit any awards and recognition earned by the animal or exhibitor. No changes will be made in class or champion placements if an animal is disqualified from competition.
The Project Coordinator, the Barn Manager,
U of A Extension 4-H Agent or
FFA Advisor
has the right,
responsibility, and authority to
disqualify or
discipline any exhibitor for
violating any of the
Guidelines for
Participation.
V. ETHICS REVIEW BOARD
1. The Ethics Review Board is established for the purpose of reviewing disqualifications, discipline done or imposed by the Project Coordinator, the Barn Manager, U of A Extension 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor, or to review instances of non-action by show managers.
2. The Ethics Review Board shall act as the final arbitrator for an individual accused of violating these rules and guidelines. It shall serve as the appeal for the interpretation of rules and guidelines as applied by the show management.
3. The Ethics Review Board shall act as the final arbitrator in challenges regarding non-enforcement of these guidelines by show managers. The committee will request either The Project Coordinator, Barn Manager, U of A Extension 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor to investigate the non-action and report findings to the committee.
4. In any situation, those members of the Ethics
Review Board shall constitute a quorum and all decisions must be rendered by a
majority of those present. The Board
shall consist of the following members:
The Barn Manager, One (1) U of A Extension 4-H Agent, One (1) FFA Advisor, and the Project Coordinator shall sit on the board, without a vote. The voting members will consist of:
5. Appointments to the committee will be made by 4-H Project Coordinators, U of A Extension 4-H Agents and FFA Advisors prior to the County Fair each year. “Board members will serve for a two year rotation in the following manner:
Even years – swine, beef, poultry, rabbit, dairy cattle, Amphi FFA youth, 4-H adult;
Odd years – sheep/meat goats, dairy goats, pigeon, cavy, pygmy goats, Marana FFA youth, FFA adult, and a 4-H adult.”
6. In the event the person accused of a violation is related in any degree to anyone on the board, an appropriate replacement will be named and shall sit on the board, for that issue only. The U of A Extension 4-H Agent of FFA Advisor shall name the replacements.
APPEAL PROCESS:
1. The “Ethics Review Board” will review appeals from individuals who have been disqualified, disciplined by show managers, or who desire a review of non-action by show managers when the appeal is in writing and accompanied by a non-refundable $50.00 fee, and received by the U of A Extension 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor as soon as possible, but in no event more than three (3) business days after the action being appealed or after the incident has taken place.
2. The board shall decide matters properly
before it, as soon as possible, but in any event no later than three (3)
business days after the receipt of matter.
3. The board will review facts and actions taken
by the disciplining officer. Each side may present written arguments and evidence to the committee. The board may request an oral presentation from either side. The disciplining agent will submit records and evidence upon which disciplinary or disqualifying action or non-action was determined