Six day standstill exemption for show animals

Defra announced today that an exemption would be granted to the six day standstill for individually identified cattle, sheep and goats attending shows. The exemption will come into force on 30 May.

Show cattle, sheep and goats will be able to claim the exemption

provided that they have been isolated from all other non-show animals on their resident holding in Defra-approved isolation facilities for six days before attending the first show. Thereafter they may move from show to show without triggering a standstill. They may return to their farm of origin between shows and move to a further show within six days provided that they are kept in approved isolation facilities on the farm. On final return to the farm, they must be kept in

approved isolation facilities for six days, or trigger a six day

standstill on that holding. An entire holding may be approved as an isolation facility if it is a single parcel of land which meets the separation criteria.

Cattle sheep and goats going to shows from a premises where no

suitable isolation facilities exist will have to:

- Observe a six day whole farm standstill before they go to the

first show.

- Trigger a six day standstill on the whole farm when they return

from any show.

- Be individually identified.

They may return to their farm of origin between shows and move to a

further show after six days provided that there are no other

movements onto the holding concerned.

All show animals will have to be inspected by a veterinary surgeon on arrival at a showground before they mingle with other animals.

For all cattle, sheep and goats that are sold at a show the six day standstill will apply at the premises of destination. No other animal will be able to move from those premises for six days.

Movements to and from shows will have to be reported in line with the requirements of the general movement licence issued under the Disease Control (Interim Measures) (England) Order 2003.