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Livestock Exhibition Health Requirements
2026 State and County Fair Information
Please review the notification outlining Illinois’ transition to electronic certificates of veterinary inspection (ECVI).
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW NOTIFICATION
Beginning July 1, Illinois veterinarians must begin utilizing electronic certificates of veterinary inspection when they are completing these documents for interstate or intrastate movements. Examples of intrastate movements would be the required certificate of veterinary inspection for county or state fair exhibitions. Therefore, when a producer or exhibitor requests a certificate of veterinary inspection after July 1, 2026 the Illinois accredited veterinarian will utilize an online platform in place of a handwritten paper form that was previously supplied by the Department. The ECVI can then be provided to producers in an electronic form, be printed or both. Please note, if an exhibitor/producer’s veterinarian completes a certificate of veterinary inspection prior to July 1, 2026, the handwritten Illinois paper CVI will still be accepted, including at the fairs.
In addition, on January 1, 2027, imports into Illinois will also require an electronic certificate of veterinary inspection. We will no longer accept the paper certificates from other states after this date.
Updated Dairy Cattle Testing Notice
On April 27, 2026, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced updated interstate movement guidance for dairy cattle. This guidance was originally released in April of 2024 and set forth requirements for H5N1 influenza testing of lactating dairy cattle to complete highly pathogenic influenza H5N1 testing before interstate movement.
The updated guidance states that lactating dairy cattle originating from States with Unaffected State Status under the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) are no longer required to be tested for interstate movement. However, please note, state specific requirements may still be in effect.
Illinois is a participant of the NMTS and received Unaffected State Status in October of 2025. Therefore, under the new federal guidance, lactating dairy cattle leaving Illinois do not require H5N1 influenza testing, unless there is a state specific rule. In addition, to align with this guidance, effective immediately, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has removed the H5N1 influenza testing requirement for all lactating dairy cattle being exhibited at Illinois State and County Fairs.
Please review the USDA release at APHIS Updates Interstate Movement Guidance for Dairy Cattle and the updated guidance document at APHIS Requirements and Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock For State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians and Producers. Updated livestock exhibition requirements are posted at Livestock Exhibition Health Requirements.
Keeping Your Show Animals Healthy
Livestock exhibition is challenging and rewarding work. Exhibitors need to keep in mind that exhibitions are a potential threat to the health of the animal as well as the herd they belong to, and the industry they represent. Animals of different species and from different locations are co-mingled, which could result in the transmission of diseases. Exhibitors need to be aware of basic biosecurity practices before, during, and after the show.
For Health Requirement Information:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare
Mark J. Ernst, D.V.M., State Veterinarian
State Fairgrounds P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Phone (217) 782-4944