The code is as follows:
Exhibitors of animals at the Lebanon Area Fair shall at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in this competitive environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and dignity to promote the advancement of agricultural education. This code applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in structured classes competition. This code applies to all livestock offered in the livestock show. All youth leaders working with junior exhibitors are under an affirmative responsibility to do more than avoid improper conduct of questionable acts. Their moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by their fine example. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers and absolutely responsible persons who violate the code of ethics will forfeit premiums, awards and auction proceeds and may be prohibited from future exhibition in accordance with the rules adopted by the Lebanon Area Fair. Exhibitors who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows in the United States and Canada. The following is a list of GUIDELINES for all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events: 1. All exhibitors must present, upon request of show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership, and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of age or ownership of any fact relating thereto is prohibited. 2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal’s health certificates from a licensed veterinarians upon request by show officials. 3. Junior exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at the shows. All fitting of 4-H/FFA animals will be done by the exhibitor with the assistance of family or other Lebanon County 4-H members or leaders. No outside fitters will be allowed. 4. NO paints or dyes. Any exhibitor found to be using coloring agents will forfeit any ribbons and premiums and will not be permitted to show at the Lebanon Area Fair for one year. IMPORTANT: If upon slaughter, treatment with drugs, biologics, or any chemical from fitting products is the cause of the condemnation of a carcass, the loss of the carcass and any other damages will be borne by the exhibitor. 5. Fitting of animals shall be done by the exhibitor. If assistance is needed, then the exhibitor may be assisted only by family members, Lebanon County 4-H livestock and goat leaders, or another Lebanon Area Fair exhibitor that is carrying the same project. 6. Animals shall be presented to show events where they will enter the food chain free of drugs. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or absolutely responsible person for show management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animal to be used in testing. Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and rules affect the animal’s performance of appearance in the event. If the laboratory report on the chemical analysis of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of forbidden drugs or medication, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample or urine, saliva, blood, or other substance tested by the approval laboratory to which it is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation, transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to provide otherwise at any hearing in regard to the matter conducted by the show. At any time after an animal arrives on the Lebanon Area Fair premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian. 7. Any surgical procedure or injection of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counterirritant, or similar substance) which could affect the animal’s performance or alter its natural contour, confirmation, or appearance, except for surgical procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited. 8. The use of showing and/or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical contrivance, or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited. 9. Direct interference with the judge, show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials be-fore, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official duty, all judges, show management, or other show officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect and no person shall direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them. 10. No owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics. 11. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal’s condition by an owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or participant whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in contravention of this code of ethics. 12. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to have any disciplinary action taken by the show against such individuals published in any publication of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions including Fair and Expositions and any special notices to members. 13. The act of entering an animal in the show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent that any action which contravenes these rules and is also in violation of federal, and state statutes, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.
GUIDELINES FOR CARE OF ANIMALS It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to care for animals in a manner that is responsible and ethical. Following are some guidelines for the treatment of animals exhibited at the show. a. Restraining Animals - i. Animals should be tied or penned in a manner that will not hurt the animal or restrict his breathing in any way. ii. Animals should be tied so that all four feet are firmly on the ground and they have enough room to stand comfortably and lie down. iii. Animals should be tied so that they are not able to injure animals tied near them. iv. Animals unaccustomed to each other should not be penned together. b. Handling - Any type of rough handling which could harm the animal is prohibited. The use of whips, canes, and show sticks should be restricted to showing only and then be used only to guide the animals, not punish them. Re-member, animals will respond quicker and better to quiet, gentle handling, than loud, rough handling. c. Bedding - All animals should have bedding that is dry and clean. Pens should be cleaned regularly to keep the animals clean and comfortable. If non-traditional bedding such as carpeting is used, it should be regularly cleaned (at least twice daily) to keep the pen free from manure.