ARC 0634D

ARC 0634D

AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT[21]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to exhibition requirements
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Agriculture and Land Stewardship Department hereby proposes to adopt a new Chapter 59, “Exhibition Requirements,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 163.2A.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 163.

Purpose and Summary

    This proposed rulemaking adopts new Chapter 59, “Exhibition Requirements,” to consolidate animal exhibition rules into one chapter, improve clarity, and reduce repetitive language. This proposed rulemaking brings together general animal health, veterinary inspection, disease prevention, and species-specific requirements, including poultry exhibition provisions relocated from 21—Chapter 60. This proposed rulemaking updates identification requirements to require official electronic identification for exhibition swine and either official electronic identification or a qualifying purebred registry tattoo for exhibition cattle. This proposed rulemaking also specifies electronic registration and reporting requirements for applicable exhibitions and incorporates references to Iowa’s animal import requirements in 21—Chapter 65. These proposed changes are intended to make exhibition requirements easier to locate and administer, while supporting animal disease prevention and traceability.

    References to rule 21—64.1(163) and 21—Chapter 65 are to those as published in concurrent rulemakings (ARC 0638D and ARC 0639D, IAB 9/30/26, respectively).

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on July 8, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   July 29, 2026

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 7—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 20, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b,” an oral presentation regarding this rulemaking may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Adopt the following new 21—Chapter 59:

CHAPTER 59

EXHIBITION REQUIREMENTS

21—59.1(163) Definitions.

    “Animal” means any nonhuman vertebrate of the kingdom Animalia.

    “Cervid” means all animals belonging to the Cervidae family.

    “CWD monitored herd” means a herd of cervids enrolled in the chronic wasting disease herd certification program, as defined by 9 CFR Part 55, dated February 8, 2002, as one-year, two-year, three-year, four-year and five-year monitored herds in accordance with the time in years such herds have been in compliance with the chronic wasting disease herd certification program.

    “Exhibition” means an exhibit, demonstration, show or competition involving an event on the state fairgrounds, a county fair or another exhibition event.

    “Foreign animal disease” means diseases of animals not known to exist in the United States.

    “Livestock” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 717.1.

    “NAHLN laboratory” means an approved diagnostic laboratory participating in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

    “Official electronic identification” means a nationally unique identification tag approved by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) that is permanently associated with an animal bearing the U.S. shield and that must be visually and electronically readable.

    “Official veterinarian” means a licensed and accredited veterinarian retained by the exhibition who is responsible for the inspection of animals for disease, verifying certificates of veterinary inspection and overseeing animal health during the exhibition.

    “Poultry” means chickens, turkeys, domestic waterfowl, domestic game birds, ratites and exhibition birds, excluding doves and pigeons.

    “Poultry exhibition” means an exhibition, demonstration, show, competition, sale, swap meet, flea market or live bird market involving poultry.

    “Swine exhibition” means an exhibit, demonstration, show or competition involving an event on the state fairgrounds, a county fair or another exhibition event involving swine.

21—59.2(163) Health requirements for exhibition of animals.

    59.2(1) General requirements.

    a.  Animals must not originate from an area under quarantine.

    b.  All animals originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements as outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(2) Certificate of veterinary inspection. Animals are not eligible for exhibition until the owner or agent presents an official certificate of veterinary inspection unless otherwise exempt by these rules. No certificate of veterinary inspection will be required on livestock, poultry and birds exhibited at a county 4-H or FFA show.

    a.  The certificate of veterinary inspection must be issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian prior to entry into the show as indicated below.

    (1)  Swine within seven days prior to the date of entry into the exhibition grounds.

    (2)  Sheep within 14 days prior to the date of entry into the exhibition grounds.

    (3)  All animals, except swine and sheep, within 30 days prior to the entry into the exhibition grounds.

    b.  The certificate of veterinary inspection must indicate that the veterinarian has inspected the animals and any nurse stock that accompany them, the date inspected and that they are apparently free from symptoms of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease.

    c.  Any evidence of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease, including but not limited to warts, ringworm (club lamb fungus), draining abscesses, footrot, sore mouth or pink eye, shall eliminate the animal from the show.

    d.  Individual official identification must be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection unless otherwise exempted.

    e.  Individual certificates of veterinary inspection will not be required in certain classes if the division superintendent for the exhibition has made prior arrangements with the official veterinarian and state veterinarian to have all animals inspected on arrival.

    59.2(3) Official veterinarian.

    a.  The state fair must have an official veterinarian.

    b.  County fairs and other exhibitions must have an official veterinarian who will inspect all livestock, poultry and birds when they are unloaded or shortly thereafter.

    59.2(4) Removal from fair or exhibition. The official veterinarian in charge shall order that any animals found to be infected with any infectious, contagious or communicable disease are to be immediately isolated from the remainder of the animals until such time the infected animal(s) can be removed from the fair or exhibition. The state veterinarian must be notified immediately upon any suspicion of a reportable or foreign animal disease as defined in rule 21—64.1(163), and all animals afflicted with or exposed to suspected foreign animal disease must be isolated.

    59.2(5) Disinfection.

    a.  State fair—disinfection of livestock quarters. It shall be the duty of the livestock superintendents under the authority of the chief of the division of animal industry to supervise the disinfection of all buildings, stalls and pens at the state fairgrounds just prior to the opening of such fair and in between shows.

    b.  County fairs and other exhibitions—disinfection of livestock quarters. It shall be the duty of all secretaries of all county fairs or exhibitions of livestock or livestock superintendents in the state of Iowa, at exhibitions other than the state fair, to supervise the disinfecting of all buildings, stalls and pens prior to the opening of such county fair or exhibition of livestock and in between shows.

    59.2(6) Cattle.

    a.  Individual identification. All cattle intended for exhibition shall have individual official identification. Acceptable forms of official individual identification include a USDA APHIS-approved electronic identification tag bearing the U.S. shield or a purebred registry tattoo if the certificate of veterinary inspection is accompanied with registration papers that show the purebred registry tattoo.

    b.  Certificate of veterinary inspection. All cattle intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that lists individual official identification.

    c.  Out of state. All cattle originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements as outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(7) Swine.

    a.  Individual identification. All swine intended for exhibition shall have individual official electronic identification.

    b.  Certificate of veterinary inspection.

    (1)  All swine intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that lists individual official electronic identification.

    (2)  All swine shall be inspected again upon arrival at the exhibition site and before the swine are unloaded or leave a designated and isolated inspection area.

    (3)  Biosecurity and sanitary practices shall be implemented for all inspections.

    c.  Pseudorabies testing. Swine originating outside Iowa must have a negative test for pseudorabies within 30 days prior to the show. Test results must be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Individual show regulations may have more restrictive time restrictions.

    d.  Out of state. All swine originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    e.  Registration of swine exhibitions. All exhibitions that include the exhibition of swine must be registered with and approved by the state veterinarian at least 30 days prior to the exhibition. The sponsor must electronically file the approved registration form. The registration form includes the name of the exhibition and the physical address, telephone number and premises identification number of its location; the name, physical address and telephone number of the veterinarian; and the date(s) of the exhibition. Sales of swine will not be allowed unless the event has been registered with and received approval from the state veterinarian at least 30 days prior to the event.

    f.  Swine exhibition report required. The sponsor of the swine exhibition shall electronically submit to the department the approved report form within five business days after the conclusion of the exhibition. The form includes the following:

    (1)  Name of the exhibition and the physical address, telephone number and premises identification number of its location;

    (2)  Name, physical address and telephone number of the veterinarian;

    (3)  Date(s) that the exhibition occurred;

    (4)  Name, physical address, telephone number and premises identification number of the owner of the swine, if different than the premises of origin;

    (5)  Name, physical address and telephone number of the premises of origin and the physical address, telephone number and premises identification number of the premises from which the swine was moved after the exhibition if such premises is a different premises; and

    (6)  Official electronic identification.

    g.  Inspection of swine. The sponsor of the exhibition must retain an Iowa licensed and accredited veterinarian to supervise the health of the swine at the exhibition location.

    59.2(8) Sheep and goats.

    a.  Individual identification. All sheep and goats intended for exhibition shall be individually identified.

    (1)  Sheep. All sexually intact sheep and wethers 18 months of age and older must be identified with an individual scrapie flock of origin identification tag, and this number must be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection.

    (2)  Goats. All sexually intact goats and wethers 18 months of age and over must be identified with an individual scrapie flock of origin identification tag or by an official registered tattoo, and one of these numbers must be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection. The certificate of veterinary inspection must be accompanied by the registered tattoo paperwork.

    b.  Certificate of veterinary inspection. All sheep and goats intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that lists individual identification.

    c.  Out of state. All sheep and goats originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(9) Horses and mules. All horses and mules intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that lists a description that includes name, age, breed, sex, color and distinctive markings, or in lieu of color and distinctive markings, digital photographs sufficient to identify the individual equine (pictures of front and both sides), and may include unique permanent forms of identification if available (tattoos, microchips, brands). All horses and mules originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(10) Poultry and birds.

    a.  Certificate of veterinary inspection. All poultry and birds intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection.

    b.  Testing. All poultry and birds exhibited must come from U.S. pullorum-typhoid clean or equivalent flocks or have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test performed within 90 days of the exhibition by an authorized tester or a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Approved test results must accompany the poultry and birds. An approved certificate verifying this status shall accompany the exhibit.

    c.  Registration of poultry exhibitions/sales. All exhibitions and sales that include the exhibition or sale of poultry must be registered with and approved by the state veterinarian at least 30 days prior to the exhibition. The sponsor must electronically file the approved registration form. The registration form includes:

    (1)  Name of the exhibition and the physical address, telephone number and premises identification number of its location.

    (2)  Name, physical address and telephone number of the veterinarian.

    (3)  Name and tester number of the pullorum-typhoid tester.

    (4)  Date(s) of the exhibition.

    d.  Inspection of poultry. A licensed and accredited veterinarian shall inspect all poultry on the premises of the poultry exhibition, show or sale on the day of the activity to ensure poultry are free of infectious, contagious or communicable disease. All poultry showing signs of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease shall be removed from the premises immediately. The state veterinarian must be notified immediately upon any suspicion of a reportable or foreign animal disease as defined in rule 21—64.1(163), and all animals afflicted with or exposed to suspected foreign animal disease must be isolated.

    e.  Sales. The sale of poultry will not be allowed at unregulated facilities or events, including but not limited to flea markets, swap meets and live bird markets, unless such facilities or events have been registered with and approved by the state veterinarian at least 30 days prior to the event.

    f.  Out of state. All poultry and birds originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(11) Dogs and cats. Dogs and cats exhibited must have current, official rabies vaccination certificates. A certificate of veterinary inspection is not required for in-state dogs and cats. All dogs and cats originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

    59.2(12) Cervids.

    a.  Individual identification. All cervids intended for exhibition shall have individual official identification.

    b.  Certificate of veterinary inspection. All cervids intended for exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection listing individual official identification.

    c.  Chronic wasting disease. All cervids intended for exhibition shall originate from a CWD monitored herd that has been enrolled in the program for at least one year. All cervids must have been kept for at least one year or have been natural additions.

    d.  Out of state. All cervids originating from out of state must meet the state of Iowa’s import requirements outlined in 21—Chapter 65.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 163.1 and 163.14.