Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

February 15, 2002

New scrapie regs are no April Fool's

Sheep and goat industry folks 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 premises identification ear tag before they are removed from your premises," said Dr. Frank Craddock, Texas Cooperative Extension state sheep and goat specialist. "It makes no difference if that place is a ranch or someone's back yard, if the animals fall within the required regulation guidelines, they must be tagged."

Past scrapie eradication efforts haven't been successful, Craddock said. The new premises identification system will allow diseased animals to be traced back to their point of origin. Knowing the origination point is a key element in the successful eradication of the disease.

Craddock described these five sheep and goat classes that require tagging: (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, and (5) all breeding goats that are or have been commingled with sheep.

Wethers from either species and commercial goats that have never had contact with sheep are the only two exemptions to the tagging rule.

The ear tags will carry the owner's premises number on one side along with a sequential number on the reverse side that owners may use for maintaining records.

A premises identification number and free ear tags may be ordered by calling toll-free, 1-866-873-2824. Turnaround time for tag orders is four to six weeks. For more information contact these two web sites: www.animal-agriculture.org/scrapie or www.tahc.-state.txus.