Request for Public Comment: Animal Health Livestock Exhibition Rules Ch 18 and 19
Revised Bulletin- Through stakeholder feedback, the division of Animal Health has further amended rule 901-19-13 of the Administrative Code to further clarify the prohibited and unacceptable practices. A statement has also been added to paragraph (C) to clarify that any of the listed practices, if applied during an exhibition, would cause the livestock to be ineligible for the show. Due to this revision, the comment period will be extended until February 23, 2024.
The rules in Chapter 901:1-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code outline the rules and requirements for animals which are imported into or moved within Ohio for exhibition purposes. Pursuant to section 941.02 of the Revised Code, the Department, through the Chief of the Division of Animal Health, shall promote and protect the livestock, poultry, and other animal interests of the state, prevent the spread of dangerously contagious or infectious disease, provide for the control and eradication of such disease, and to cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture in such work. The rules of this chapter meet this directive. More specifically, the rules outline the disease testing requirements as well as proof of ownership of all animals coming into Ohio. These rules are necessary in ensuring that all animals in the state of Ohio remain disease free.
The rules in Chapter 901-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code outline the regulations for the exhibition of livestock in the state of Ohio. Exhibition of livestock generally occurs at a livestock show held at the Ohio State Fair or a fair under the control of a county or independent agricultural society. The rules in this chapter set forth the governance and administration of these exhibitions and standards related to food safety and the health, safety, and welfare of livestock including grooming, commercial, or medical practices that are generally accepted in the community. The rules have been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Livestock Exhibitions which advises the Director on topics pertaining to the administration of the exhibition of livestock program.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 901.72, the rules adopted under which apply to exhibition related food safety and the health, safety, and welfare of livestock shall apply to every exhibition. However, exhibitions may choose to adopt rules which do not apply to those issues. The rules as drafted indicate which rules are mandatory and which rules are optional for adoption by the exhibition.
- (Amended) OAC 901:18-01 to 11 and 901:19-01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 19, 21, 31, 32, 35, 39 and 40
- (No Change) OAC 901:19-33
- (Rescinded) OAC 901:19-09, 11, 34, 38,
View Business Impact Analysis and Proposed Rules: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/legal-office/Admin-Rules
These Rules are open for comment between January 26, and February 23, 2024. Please send your written comments on these rules to eComments@agri.ohio.gov and CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov
Source: February 16, 2024 News Release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture