SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Premises registration will be encouraged, but not required to exhibit livestock at state, county, 4-H and FFA fairs in 2008. 

The Illinois Department of Agriculture today announced premium books, which specify the rules and regulations for various fair competitions, will state that participation in the national animal health program is strictly voluntary.

"We're working with livestock groups on a compromise to this issue, and everyone I've talked to has suggested that additional education and outreach is needed," Acting Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said.  "This decision will enable such efforts to continue while we work on an agreement that everyone can live with."

Although the department has withdrawn its requirement that livestock exhibitors obtain a premises registration number to show at fairs, it still believes the information would greatly improve the ability of Illinois animal health professionals to contain animal disease outbreaks. 
"A premises registration number is like a 9-1-1 address for animals," Jennings said.  "Without a doubt, having that information in a searchable, electronic database would strengthen our disease-fighting capabilities, especially at high-risk events like fairs where large numbers of animals are confined for short periods of time and then moved." 

The full text of the entry pertaining to premises registration that will be published in fair premium books follows:

Premises Registration is voluntary to exhibit livestock (beef, dairy, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits) at the Illinois State Fair/county fair.

Choosing to register your premises puts you on the frontline of controlling and preventing the spread of animal disease.  A disease outbreak can't be predicted but it can impact every segment of animal agriculture.  Participation ensures that you have the information you need, when you need it most, to protect your animals and your investment.  Registering a premises involves obtaining a seven-character alpha-numeric "identifier" for the farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other site where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed. 

If an exhibitor wants to register their animals an application form can be found on-line at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid. Exhibitors who register on-line will receive a premises registration number immediately. An application can also be obtained by calling 866/299-9256. If completing application and returning by mail, it may take up to four weeks to receive the number.

Premium books will be available in early May.  They can be accessed online at www.illinoisstatefair.info.

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