Livestock exhibitions and livestock markets Apply for exemption from the official veterinary inspection

• You submit the application for a special permit together with all the necessary documents to the competent authority.
• The competent authority will check your documents. If necessary, it will request further documents or information from you.
• The competent authority will check your application and you will receive a decision.
• If your application is complete and meets the requirements, you will receive the exemption permit.

In deviation from the legal requirements for livestock exhibitions and livestock markets, you can apply for an exemption permit if the following conditions are met:

• The venue does not meet all the requirements for fencing, access routes and cleaning facilities that are normally prescribed for livestock exhibitions or livestock markets.
• There are no concerns regarding the control of animal diseases that would speak against the event.
• Your event is a livestock exhibition, a small-scale livestock market or a fair or weekly market that is exempt from official veterinary supervision.
• The venue meets certain requirements, including safety precautions for access, suitable cleaning facilities and space for the animals.
• There is no risk to animal health or animal diseases.

Please provide the following information in the application and enclose the relevant supporting documents:

• Completed application for exemption (with details of the event, venue and livestock)
• Justification for the necessity of the requested exemption
• Site plan of the event venue with marking of entrances and exits
• Proof of existing cleaning and disinfection facilities for vehicles and persons
• Information on the accommodation of the animals (e.g. accommodation rooms, quarantine rooms)
• Hygiene concept for the event
• Veterinary certificate or expert opinion, if applicable
• If applicable, proof of exemption from the official veterinary examination (e.g. for annual or weekly markets)
• If applicable, previous approval notices or comparable documents (for recurring events)

Fees will be charged. The amount of the fees depends on the administrative costs.

• Apply for the exemption permit in good time, at least 6 weeks before the planned event.
• You need the exemption permit to hold a livestock market or exhibition, a fair or weekly market at which live farm animals are offered or exhibited without having to meet the requirements for official veterinary inspections

If all the necessary documents are available, processing can take up to 6 weeks.

• Gesetz zur Vorbeugung vor und Bekämpfung von Tierseuchen (Tiergesundheitsgesetz - TierGesG)
• § 6 Absatz 1 Satz 2 der Verordnung zum Schutz gegen die Verschleppung von Tierseuchen im Viehverkehr (Viehverkehrsverordnung - ViehVerkV)

Contradiction

You will only receive the exemption if there are no conflicting animal disease control concerns.

These farm animals belong to the livestock category:

• Horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies, zebras and zebrids
• Cattle including bison, bison and water buffalo
• Sheep and goats
• pigs
• Hares, rabbits
• Ducks, pheasants, geese, chickens, ratites, guinea fowl, partridges, pigeons, turkeys and quails
• Game animals
• Camelids

24.04.2025

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.