OR fairs and livestock exhibition rules become permanent
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has announced that the emergency rules it put in place regarding livestock exhibitions have been made permanent. Those regulations require all exhibitions to follow basic disease prevention and recordkeeping practices to help protect the communities these events serve.
The regulations were put in place in 2024 and 2025 in response to highly pathogenic avian influenza, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and equine herpesvirus outbreaks. Exhibitions operating under those rules successfully held events without contributing to the spread of those diseases. The rules now apply to exhibitions of all species.
ODA states that the rules include:
- Exhibitions must be registered
Each exhibition where animals owned by two or more people are brought together for competition or public display must register with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) at least 20 days prior to the exhibition. Registration is free and simply lets ODA know that the exhibition is happening. - Keep Records of Animals and Exhibitors
Exhibition organizers are responsible for maintaining records of all animals present at the exhibition. These records include animal identification, the exhibitor’s contact information, and the physical address from which the animal originated immediately prior to the exhibition. Animals originating from outside of Oregon are also required to present a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Records must be kept for 90 days after the exhibition and must be made available to ODA in the event of a disease outbreak. - Work with a Veterinarian
Each exhibition must work with at least one veterinarian who is involved in the planning of the event. During the exhibition, at least one designated veterinarian must be available to provide veterinary care if necessary but does not need to be present at the exhibition unless needed. - Provide an Isolation Area and have a Plan to Use It
Exhibition organizers must provide a designated isolation area for livestock showing signs of disease. The area must be away from other livestock, with limited access to authorized personnel only. - Follow Disease-Specific Requirements
Influenza susceptible animals (poultry, waterfowl, dairy cattle, and swine) must be housed separately and not share space with other influenza susceptible species. Lactating dairy cattle must be milked in areas inaccessible to the public, or with a 10-foot barrier. Waterfowl cannot be given open containers of water, except for drinking, and containers must be small enough to prevent entry. - Promote Good Hygiene at Exhibitions Open to the Public
Organizers of exhibitions open to the public must provide accessible hand-washing stations near livestock areas and post signs warning visitors about potential illness from animals, especially for vulnerable groups.
Then, beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, sheep, goats, cattle, and swine present at exhibitions must have official identification.
