Animal Welfare, Identification & Movement 

The Kingdom County Show is committed to ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, animal health, identification and regulatory compliance at all times.

All exhibitors, competitors and handlers are responsible for the welfare of animals under their care and must ensure that animals are treated with respect, handled safely and provided with appropriate food, water, shelter and rest while on the showgrounds.

Animals presented at the Show must be fit, healthy and transported in accordance with all relevant animal health and welfare legislation. Any animal showing signs of illness, distress, injury, neglect or poor welfare may be refused entry to the Showgrounds or withdrawn from competition at the discretion of the Show Committee, veterinary officer or appointed officials.

Any form of mistreatment, neglect or abuse of animals will not be tolerated and may result in immediate removal from the Showgrounds and potential disciplinary action under the rules of the Irish Shows Association.

All exhibitors must also ensure that animals brought to the Show are properly identified and accompanied by the required documentation in accordance with the regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Horses / Equines

All equines, including horses, ponies and donkeys, must comply with current equine identification and movement legislation.

• The Show premises must be registered as an equine gathering premises in accordance with Department requirements.
• Records of equine movements on and off the premises must be maintained and retained for at least three years.
• Each equine must be properly identified and registered with an approved Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO).
• Equine passports must accompany the animal whenever it is transported to events such as shows or sales.
• All equines issued with passports after 1 July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian.
• Exhibitors may be required to provide the premises registration number from which the equine travelled and the passport number or UELN number of the animal.

Cattle

All cattle attending the Show must comply with current animal health, identification and movement requirements.

• All cattle must originate from herds that are Officially TB Free (OTF) and must meet current Department testing requirements.
• Cattle must have a valid negative BVD status when moving, including movement to shows.
• All bovines must be properly identified with official ear tags in accordance with national regulations.
• Mandatory Electronic Identification (EID) requirements apply to bovines born on or after 1 July 2022.
• All cattle attending the Show must be accompanied by their bovine passports.
• Movement of cattle to and from the Show must be recorded on the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system.
• A valid Certificate of Compliance for the Movement of Bovine from a Single Holding to a Show must be obtained prior to movement.
• Calves less than 10 days old may not be moved to a show.

The Show Secretary must ensure that movement documentation is completed and returned to the relevant Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) within the required timeframe.

Exhibitors intending to bring cattle from Northern Ireland or outside the State should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office well in advance of the Show, as additional certification and health requirements apply.

Sheep

All sheep attending the Show must comply with current sheep identification and movement requirements.

• All sheep must be individually identified with appropriate ear tags in accordance with the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS).
• All consignments of sheep must be accompanied by a properly completed dispatch document.
• Only sheep from non-restricted flocks may be moved to shows except where specific Department permissions apply.
• Movements of sheep to and from the Show must be recorded on the AIM system.
• All sheep movements must also be recorded in the keeper’s flock register.

The Show Secretary must ensure that the relevant movement documentation is completed and forwarded to the local Regional Veterinary Office within seven days of the Show.

Responsibility of Exhibitors

By entering animals for exhibition at the Kingdom County Show, exhibitors confirm that:

• All animals are fit, healthy and suitable for exhibition.
• All identification, passport, tagging and movement requirements have been met.
• All necessary documentation will accompany the animal to and from the Show.
• They will comply with all instructions issued by the Show Committee, stewards, veterinary officers and Department officials.

The Show Committee reserves the right to refuse entry, request documentation, or remove any animal where concerns arise regarding welfare, identification, movement compliance or biosecurity.

Important Notice

Exhibitors are strongly advised to check the most up-to-date requirements with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and their local Regional Veterinary Office, as animal movement and testing requirements may change.