Scrapie

What are my responsibilities if I enroll in the "Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program?"

When participating in the program, flock owners must:

  • Records:
    • Establish and maintain records. Owners must account for all acquisitions, departures, births, and deaths. Records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years after an animal dies or is removed from the flock.
    • Allow breed associations and registries, livestock markets, and packers to disclose records to APHIS and/or State animal health officials and State Scrapie Certification
  • Reporting:
    • Agree to immediately report scrapie-suspect animals to the proper animal health official.
    • Report to the State Certification Board acquisitions of sheep from flocks with lower status or from flocks not participating in the program.
  • Identification:
    • Officially identify all animals within a flock that are 1 year of age or older. Animals less than 1 year old must be identified whenever a change of ownership occurs, except for those in slaughter channels.
    • Submit to an official laboratory tissues from scrapie-suspect animals and from animals suspected of having other neurologic or chronic, debilitating illnesses.
  • Cooperation
    • Allow State, Federal, and Scrapie Certification Board representatives to enter premises to carry out program procedures.
    • Provide necessary facilities and personnel to assist in inspections by APHIS representatives and/or State officials:
      • checking animals for official identification and signs of scrapie, and
      • checking records for completeness and accuracy