Ethics is that what one does that is professionally fitting or correct. As a poultry judge, one is constantly in the eye of show committees and the exhibitor. Conduct in the showroom must be such that everyone think of and spoken of the judge as a professional. This conduct must be considered as honest, good judgement, excellent deportment and show consideration of both the bird and exhibitor. Any actions in or outside the showroom must show judgement that will be considered as ethical.

Adverse actions will be investigated accordingly disciplinary procedures of the show committee or Organization.

 

ETHICS IS TWO THINGS:

Firstly: Ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to life, the right to freedom from injury, the right to privacy and the right to association. Such standards are adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and well-founded reasons.

Secondly: Ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards. Feelings, laws, rules and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one’s standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics states the principles and expectations governing the behaviour of individuals and organizations in the conduct of poultry judging. It describes the minimum requirements for conduct, and behavioural expectations rather than specific activities.

Introduction to the Code of Ethics

The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to promote an ethical culture in the profession of poultry judging.

Applicability and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics applies to both judges and poultry exhibitors. The fact that a particular conduct is not mentioned in the Show Rules does not prevent it from being unacceptable or discreditable and therefore, the judge, reviewer, intermediate or steward can be liable for disciplinary action.

 

PRINCIPLES

Poultry Judges are expected to apply and uphold the following principles:

Integrity
The integrity of Poultry Judges establishes trust and thus provides the basis for reliance on their judgment.

Objectivity
Poultry Judges exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in judging and evaluating the bird or object being examined. Poultry Judges make a balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and are not unduly influenced by their own interests or by others in forming judgments.

Confidentiality
Poultry Judges respect the value and ownership of information they receive and do not disclose information without appropriate authority unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so.

Competency
Poultry Judges apply the knowledge, skills, and experience needed in the performance of poultry judging.

 

RULES OF CONDUCT

Integrity

Poultry Judges:

Shall perform their work with honesty, diligence, and responsibility.

Shall observe the show rules and breed standard and make decisions there on.

Shall not knowingly be a party to any fraudulent activity, or engage in acts that are discreditable to the profession of poultry judging or to the organization.

Shall respect and contribute to the rules and ethical objectives of the organization.

Shall always demonstrate good sportsmanship both inside and outside the show ring.

Objectivity

Poultry Judges:

Shall not participate in any activity or relationship that may impair or be presumed to impair their unbiased judgement. This participation includes those activities or relationships that may be in conflict with the interests of the organization.

Shall not accept anything that may impair or be presumed to impair their professional judgment.

Shall disclose all material facts known to them that, if not disclosed, may distort the reporting of activities under review.

Shall behave in a manner conducive to the advancement of Poultry Breeds and the Organization.

Exhibitors:

Shall not directly criticise or interfere with any judge, the show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event.

Shall treat judges and officials with courtesy, cooperation and respect.

Shall not direct abusive or threatening conduct towards any judge, show committee member, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event.

Shall not conspire with another person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics.  

Confidentiality
Poultry Judges:

Shall not knowingly falsify lineage or breeding information.

Shall not intentionally and falsely degrade another exhibitor, exhibitor’s birds, or practices.

Competency

Poultry Judges:

Shall engage only judge breeds and objects for which they have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience.

Shall perform their duties in accordance with the show rules and breed standards.

Shall continually improve their proficiency and the effectiveness and quality of their poultry judging.

Shall try to educate each exhibitor or interested person, and to be constructive as well as instructive in his comments.