Deadline for New Scrapie Rules is April 1
Sheep and goat industry folks, who own one head or thousands, need to remember that on April 1, all sheep and goats must be in compliance with the new USDA state and federal scrapie management regulations.
“These new regulations require sheep and goats to be wearing a premise identification ear tag before they are removed from your premises,” said Steve Sturtz, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent. “It makes no difference if that premise is a ranch or someone’s back yard -- if the animals fall within the required regulation guidelines, they must be tagged,” he said.
Sturtz said the five sheep and goat classes that require tagging are: 1) all sheep 18 months of age or older 2) all breeding sheep regardless of age 3) sexually intact show or exhibition sheep and goats 4) all goats 18 months of age or older that are or have been commingled with sheep 5) all breeding goats that are or have been commingled with sheep. Whethers from either species and commercial goats that have never had contact with sheep are the only two exemptions to the tagging rule.
“To be absolutely safe and to cut down on confusion, my recommendation is to tag all female sheep and goats regardless of age and all intact males over 18 months old when they leave your place. After April 1, if you take animals to an auction without tags, the auction will tag them with their premises tags –- for a fee,” Sturtz said. Sales transactions must be recorded and kept for five years.
Sturtz said, “It is very important to realize that these new regulations have been put in place for the benefit of the U.S. sheep and goat producer. We want to wipe this disease out of the U.S. With a scrapie-free designation, our producers can freely sell breeding stock on the world market with minimal restrictions, as Australia and New Zealand now do.”
Scrapie is a fatal degenerative brain disease affecting sheep and goats which was accidentally introduced into the U.S. in 1947. Lambs and kids are most susceptible. The malady develops slowly and infected animals usually don’t show symptoms until they are at least 18 months old. Symptoms include weight loss, tremors, coordination loss, swaying and wool pulling.
Past eradication efforts have been unsuccessful. The new premise identification system will allow diseased animals to be traced back to their point of origin, a key element in the eradication of the disease. Officials predict the program will help eliminate scrapie from the U.S. by 2010.
To get premise identification number and to order free ear tags, call toll-free 1-866-873-2824. It is important to order early, as delivery is slow. For more information, go to: www.animalagriculture.org/scrapie or www.tahc.state.tx.us