WHFFANIMALANDSHOWINGTEMPLATE
Introduction.
The requirement of providing food to an ever-increasing global population has placed demands on all
sectorsofthefoodsupplychain,particularlywhenassociatedwiththechallengesofensuringproduction
methods conform to reducing environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions as well as meeting
societalexpectationsaroundanimalwelfare.
The Holstein has established itself as theworld’sprimarymilkproducingbreedandassuchiscapableof
producing high yields of milk, however this willingness to produce must be properly managed and it is
essentialthatproductionrequirementsbebalancedwithwelfarestandardsthatallowboththeanimaland
environmenttothrive.
The consumer demands quality food at reasonable prices but also requires high standards of animal
welfare in the production of human foods. It is incumbent on producers to meet these aspirations by
employingenvironmentallyandanimalwelfarefriendlysystems.Itisanever-challengingscenariotowhich
WHFFisfullycommitted.
WHFF, as the World organisation representing Holstein Associations, is acutely aware of the need to
support its global membership through individual Holstein Associations with advice that meets the
requirements of balancing production with environmental and welfare targets. To achieve the required
level of sustainability WHFF has already instigated the introduction and maintains a universal linear type
inspectionprogramthatidentifiesandmonitorsfunctionaltypetraitsonmilkproducinganimals,whichare
ultimately used in genetic evaluations to strengthen the functional traits required for robust milk
productioninmanydifferingproductionenvironments.Thisinformationisusedasavitalpartofeveryday
dairyherdmanagementinbreedingrobustandfunctionalanimals
Building on the success WHFF has prepared a universal template to be used at events where Holstein
animals are to be exhibited. The ethos of the document is that it is vital that the highest standards of
welfare and showing ethics are employed in the exhibition of animals in all showing circumstances. The
document recognises the variation in individual countries regulations and as such has the necessary
flexibilitytobeusedasatemplateindifferentcircumstances.
Maingoalsofthistemplate
ThemaingoalsoftheShowingTemplateare:
- Toensurehighstandardsofanimalwelfareduringcattleshows;
- Toensureafaircompetitionbetweenthecowsandtheirowners.
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
Rules&RegulationsforShowingCattle
Theobjectiveofthisdocumentistocreatemaximumuniformityandtransparencyforeach(inter-)national
show,itsparticipants,audienceandothersocietystakeholders.
Itisfullyacknowledgedthatinternationallycountrieshavedifferentindividualhealthandveterinary
requirementsandregulations:thisdocumentisintendedasaninternationaltemplatetoassistshow
organisationsadheretotheprincipleof‘bestpractice’inrelationtohighstandardsofanimalwelfare.
Besidesthat,itpositionsanimalwelfareasanimportantissueandrestrictstheuseofbovinemedicineto
theindividualcountrylevelthatisstrictlynecessary.Themostimportantprincipalsare:
- Healthyanimalsshouldnotbetreatedandsickanimalsshouldnotbeshowed.
- Animalsshouldbeshown‘asnaturallyaspossible’(seearticle9)
Atransparentanduniformsetofrulesandregulationsisanimportantbasisforafairandsafecompetition
forboththeparticipantandanimal.
Optional:
Adoptorexplain
WHFFwouldlikeitsmemberstoadopttheWHFF-standardofRulesandRegulationsforShowingCattle,
withtheprincipleof‘adoptorexplain’
- Adopt,meansthatthecountryhasfullyimplementedtheWHFFstandard
- Explain,meansthatthecountryhasadoptedmostofthestandardandexplainswhereandwhy
theydifferfromtheWHFFstandard
Allparticipantsatshows(likeanycitizen)mustbeawareofthe(inter)nationallawsonanimalwelfare.
General
1. Byparticipatingintheshowtheparticipantagreestoabidebytheserulesandregulations,the
associatedregulationsofthedisciplinarycommitteeandagreestotakepartinanyinspectionsifso
requested.
2. Theparticipantshallcomplywithanypre-selectionoftheanimalsfortheeventconcernedifso
requested.
3. Theparticipantagreestofollowtheinstructionsoftheorganisers(includingtheringmasterand/orjury
[disciplinarycommittee?])atalltimesontheshowgroundsandintheshowringinparticular.
4. Thedecisionofthejuryisbindingandeachparticipantmustacceptandrespectthisdecision.
5. Aftertheanimalshavearrivedinthestallsfromthewasharea,theyarenotpermittedtoleavethe
stallingareauntilthetimeindicatedtoleavefortheringorgrandshowring,oraftertheeventhas
ended.
6. Theparticipantshallcooperatewiththerequests/instructionsoftheorganisersandallowtheanimal(s)
tobephotographed[andtested?].
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-2-
7. Instructionsconcerningtheveterinaryrequirements,arrivalanddeparturetimes,transportofthe
animalsandotherspecificmatterswillbeprovidedseparatelyateacheventbytheorganisers.
Preparing/groomingshowcattle
8.Whenanimalsareprepared/groomedtocompeteinindividualjudging,orgrouppresentationsor
judging,therulesandregulationsoftheorganisersshallapply.
9.Inordertopresenttheanimalasnaturallyaspossibleallproceduresand/orpractices,bothcosmeticand
technical,areprohibited,withtheexceptionof:
a. Washing/clippingtheanimal;
b. Straighteningthetoplinewithhairthatisnaturallyattachedtoitsownhairfollicleanddoesnot
exceed(2-4)cminlength;
c. Theuseofafalsetailorswitch;
d. Treatingtheanimal,excludingtheudder,withanon-irritatingsubstance,inordertoenhancethe
colourorshineofthecoat;
e. Treatingtheteatsinordertoavoidmilkleaking.
AppendixAcontainssomeexamplesofproceduresand/orpractices,whichareconsidered
unacceptable.
Useofveterinarymedicines
Thestartingpointfortheuseofbovinemedicineduringtheshowisthatonlytheveterinarianondutyhas
admissiontodeterminewhetherananimalshouldbetreatedornot;andifso,whattheappropriate
medicineis.Theveterinarianondutyistheonlypersonallowedtotreattheanimal.(DependsonCountry
regulations).
Theuseand/orbeinginthepossessionof(veterinary)drugsormedicinesduringtheentireeventorshowis
prohibitedforallparticipants,cow-fitters,visitorsoranyoneelseattheshowgroundwiththeexceptionof
theofficialVeterinarySurgeonorhisrepresentative.
Compliance/sanctions
10.Byparticipatingintheshowtheparticipantagreestoabidebytheserulesandregulationsandagreesto
takepartinanyinspections/testing?ifsorequested.Refusaltotakepartinaninspectionwillresultinthe
immediatedisqualificationoftheparticipantandallhis/heranimals.Areportwillbesenttothe
show/disciplinarycommittee.
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-3-
11.Personsauthorisedforthispurposebytheorganiserswillperforminspections/tests?.Violationsofthe
rulesandregulationswillbereportedorallyandinwritingtotheorganisersandthensubmittedasa
writtencomplaint.
12.Ifaviolationoftherulesandregulationsisdeemedtohavetakenplace,theanimaland/orthe
participantcanbeimmediatelydisqualifiedfromcompetingbytheorganisers.OPTIONALItishighly
recommendedthatdisqualificationcanalsotakeplaceuptoamaximumoffivemonthsaftertheshow,
wherebytheanimalinquestionwillberemovedfromthelistofresults,andtheprizesandanytitles
awardedwillbeforfeited.
13.Anyfurtherpenaltiesandconsequencesfortheparticipationoftheparticipantconcernedatshows
organisedinthefutureshallbedeterminedatthediscretionoftheshow/disciplinarycommittee.
14.Theserulesandregulationsapplytotheconductoftheparticipantaswellastohowtheanimalis
prepared/groomed.Anymisconductbytheparticipantintheformofintimidationorinsultingmembersof
theorganisationandfellowparticipantswillbesanctionedbytheorganisation.Areportwillbesenttothe
showcommitteeforconsideration.
AppendixBcontainssomeexamplesofpossibleinspections.
AppendicestotheRules&RegulationsforShowingCattle
AppendixA:Thefollowingareexamplesofproceduresandpracticesthatareunacceptable.
Theseexamplesaregivenasclarification,theacceptableproceduresandpracticesarestatedintherules
andregulations.
Thefollowingpracticesareprohibited:
- Balancingtheudderbyanyothermeansthanleavingnaturallyproducedmilkinanyorallquarters;
- Treatingtheteatseitherinternallyorexternallywithanysubstancesoastoalterthenaturalposition;
- Introducinganyforeignmaterials/substancesundertheskinwiththeaimofchangingthenatural
contoursorappearanceoftheanimal'sbodyorhair,
- Insertinganose-ring,rope,cablebinder,wireorothermaterialthroughthenasalseptumoffemale
animals.
- Ropingudderswithafineropeorothermaterialtophysicallyimprovethedefinitionofthesuspensory
centralligament;
- Drenchingisgenerallynotallowedattheshowingdayandleadstoexclusionfromtheshow.
- Treatingtheuddersand/orteatswithFinalMistoranyothersubstance;
- Usingdevicesdesignedtostimulatethebloodcirculationintheudder;
- Administeringanysubstances(orally,orviatherectumorvagina)toalterthenaturalcontoursofthe
animal.
AppendixB:Thefollowingareexamplesofpossibleinspections:
- Anultrasoundexaminationoftheudder;
- Takingbloodsamples,manuresamples,urinesamplesandmilksamples;
- Physicalinspectionofaspectsincludingthenaturalpositionoftheteatsandthetopline;
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-4-
-
Inspectionstodeterminewhethertheparticipanthasanyveterinarymedicineinhis/herpossession.
Thenaturalfillingofancows’udderwiththeanimalsownmilkproductionforaslongasitdoesnot
negativelyinfluencedit’swelfare.Theteatsmaybesealedexternallyinordertoavoidmilkleaking.The
necessarymilkingintervalsmustbecomplied.Animalwelfareandmilkingintervalsarecheckedbythe
showorganizerandtheveterinarianonduty.Incaseofexcessiveudderwealthmilkingcanberuled.All
animalsarecheckedinthemorningoftheshowingdayandinregularintervalsuntiltheyenterthering.
RulesandRegulationsoftheDisciplinaryCommittee
TherulesandregulationsforaDisciplinaryCommitteewilldependonnationallawaswellasnational
(show-)cultureandhabits.Thefollowingset-upisanexampleofhowitcouldbearranged.
WHFFwouldlikeitsmemberstoadoptthisset-upwherepossible,butshouldfeelfreetomodifywhere
needed.
I.
Definitions
Article1:Definitions
Intheseshowingrules:
a.
Organisationmeanstheperson(s)withfinalresponsibilityfororganisingoneofthecattleshows
statedunderatocabove;
b.
Rules&RegulationsforShowingCattlemeanstherulesandregulationsregardingtheshowingof
cattle;
c.
Participantmeanstheownerorexhibitorwhotakespartinoneofthecattleshows.
d.
Writtencomplaintmeansareportoffindingsbymeansofwhichtheorganiserslodgeadisciplinary
complaintwiththedisciplinary/showcommitteeregardingaparticipantwhoissuspectedofhaving
possiblyviolatedtherulesandregulationsregardingtheshowingofcattle.
e.
Otherpartymeanstheparticipantagainstwhomadisciplinarycomplainthasbeenlodgedwiththe
disciplinary/showcommittee.
f.
CommitteemeanstheDisciplinary/ShowCommitteeappointedonthegroundsofthese
regulations;
II.DisciplinaryCommittee
Article2:TasksandScope
2.1
TheCommitteeisauthorisedtoimposedisciplinarymeasuresonparticipantswhoviolatetherulesand
regulationsforshowingcattle.
2.2
TheCommitteecanimposeoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
1) Warning
2) Theparticipantis(conditionally)disqualified
3) Theanimalwillberemovedfromthelistofresultsandtheprizesandanytitlesawardedwillbe
forfeited.
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-5-
2.3
Theotherpartywillbenotifiedinwritingofthemotivationbehindthedecisiontoimposeameasure–
referredtofurtheras“thedecision”.
Article3:MembersoftheCommittee
3.1
Theorganisingshowwilldeterminetherequirementandnumberonthecommittee
Article4:Appointment
4.1
ThemembersoftheCommitteeareappointedanddischargedbyanorganisation.Termsofofficeareat
thediscretionoftheorganisers.
Article5:Withdrawal,Disqualification,Recusal
5.1
Intheeventthatadisputerelatesinanywaywhatsoevertothepersonalinterestsofamemberofthe
Committee,thememberinquestionmustwithdrawfromtheCommitteeforsuchtimeasthewritten
complaintisbeingconsidered.
5.2
AmemberoftheCommitteecandisqualifyhimself/herselfbyreasonoffactsorcircumstancesthatmay
influencethemember’simpartialitywhileadisputeisbeingconsidered.
III.
TheProcedure
Article6:WrittenComplaint
6.1
AprocedureislodgedwiththeCommitteebysubmittingawrittencomplaintsignedbytheshow
organisation;anauthorisedpersonmayassisttheotherparty.
6.2
Thewrittencomplaintmustatleastcontainthefollowingdetails:name,addressandplaceofresidenceor
placeofestablishmentoftheparticipant,thename(s)oftheinspectors(s)involved,adescriptionofthe
conductinquestion,andthenamesofanywitnesses.
Article7:NoticeofObjection
7.1
TheCommitteegrantstheotherpartytheopportunitytolodgeanoticeofobjectionwithin14daysafter
thedateonwhichthewrittencomplaintwassent.
7.2.
Thenoticeofobjectionmuststatethegroundsoftheobjectionandshallbeaccompaniedbyallthe
evidence,whichisconsideredofimportanceinsupportoftheobjection.
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-6-
Article8:OralProceedings
8.1
Within30daysafterreceiptofthenoticeofobjection,theCommitteewillestablishadatefortheoral
proceedingsandinformtheComplainantandanyotherparty.Oralproceedingswillnottakeplaceifthe
caseagainsttheotherpartyismanifestlyunfounded,orifbothpartieshavedeclaredinwritingthatthey
donotseethenecessityforanoralproceduretobeheld.
8.2
Duringtheoralproceedingswitnessesandexpertsmaybecalledtotestify,bothontheinitiativeofthe
CommitteeaswellasontheinitiativeoftheComplainantandtheotherparty.IftheComplainantandthe
otherpartyintendtocallwitnessesand/orexperts,theComplainantandtheotherpartyofthisfactmust
informtheCommitteeinwritingnolaterthansevendaysbeforetheoralproceedings.
Article9:DecisionoftheCommittee
9.1
TheComplainantwillreceiveadecisionwithinaperiodofmaximumfourweeksaftertheoralproceedings.
Thistermmaybeextendedbythesameperiod.TheComplainantwillbeinformedintimeofthisinwriting.
9.2
Thedecisionwillbeannouncedinwritingandsupportedbygroundsandwillbesenttothepartiesand
implemented.
WHFF International Showing Rules FV 2016.docx
-7-