Scrapie FAQs

Q: What is scrapie? A: Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is in the same category of diseases as so-called mad cow disease (BSE) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk.

Q: Is scrapie a genetic disease? A: No. But a sheeps genetics (DNA) determine whether it will get scrapie if it is exposed to infected birthing fluids. So far, no resistant genotypes have been identified in goats

Q: Why do we need to eradicate scrapie? A: Scrapie is of public concern due to the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the proposed link between BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakobs disease in people. The presence of scrapie in the U.S. sheep and goat flock prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries.

Q: What are the differences between the mandatory scrapie eradication program and the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program? A: The mandatory program requires that most sheep and goats be officially identified with USDA approved ID (ear tags, tattoos, or in some circumstances microchips) when moved interstate, exhibited, or upon change of ownership. The voluntary program is a monitoring program that allows flocks to achieve scrapie free certification after five years.

Q: How do I get ear tags for the mandatory scrapie eradication program? A: Contact John T. Swann at (410) or He will assign a Flock ID and order your free ear tags and pliers to apply them.

Q: When should I apply scrapie ID to my animals? A: The most practical time to apply official scrapie ID is when the animals leave your property, but the tags may be applied anytime before that.

Q: Can I use tattoos instead of ear tags? A: Yes. Your Flock ID plus an individual animal number may take the place of an ear tag. A registration tattoo may also take the place of an ear tag if the animal is accompanied by its registration paper.

Q: What animals must be identified under the mandatory scrapie eradication program? A: In order to be adaptable to all segments of the sheep and goat industry, the USDA identification requirements are complicated, with many confusing exceptions. States, livestock markets, and shows can have additional rules. Its simplest just to tag every animal when it leaves your property. If you think you have a situation that may not require ID, call the USDA office at (410)

Q: What should I do if one of my animals loses its scrapie tag? A: Put another tag in and record both numbers.

Q: What should I do if the sheep or goat I bought doesnt have a scrapie tag? A: The seller is required to tag the animal. If the seller fails to do so, the buyer is required to tag it. If you make a record of your tag number, the date, the breed, and the name and address of the seller, then you will be able to prove that the animal was not born in your flock (in case it later develops scrapie).

Q: Why do sheep and goats need to be identified? A: If scrapie is identified in a flock, official scrapie identification will be used to find animals in other flocks that may have been exposed to scrapie and are at risk for spreading the disease to other flocks.

Q: Who should enroll in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program? A: Any producer may enroll his or her flock/herd. Seedstock producers are encouraged to enroll. Flocks selling breeding animals may find it to be a marketing advantage.

Q: What are the requirements of the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program? Identify all animals over 1 year of age in the flock/herd. Maintain records as required by the program. Have your flock/herd inspected annually. Report scrapie-suspect animals to the proper animal health authorities. Submit tissue samples of scrapie-suspect animals and from animals suspected of having other neurological or chronic, debilitating diseases. Report acquisitions of animals from flocks with a lower status or from flocks not enrolled in the program.

Q: How do I enroll in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program? A: Contact Dr. Kent Holm at (443) or