Scrapie Eradication Program in Delaware: Rules Every Sheep and Goat Owner Must Know

If you raise sheep or goats in Delaware, the Scrapie Eradication Program is not optional — it is a binding set of federal and state obligations that govern how you identify, move, record, test, and certify your animals. Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative TSE disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats, and the regulations surrounding it exist to protect your flock, your neighbors’ flocks, and the broader U.S. livestock industry.

Delaware participates fully in the National Scrapie Eradication Program alongside every other state, and its own administrative code — Title 3, Section 902 — establishes the state-level framework that qualifies Delaware as a Scrapie Consistent State. Whether you operate a small hobby farm or a commercial breeding operation, understanding these rules keeps you compliant and protects the marketability of your animals.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Delaware

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats, and it is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The TSE family also includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and chronic wasting disease in deer and elk — diseases that have drawn intense regulatory scrutiny for decades.

Scrapie is difficult to detect. It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and current diagnostic tests require brain or lymphoid tissue. Animals typically live 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. This long incubation period is precisely why regulatory identification and traceability requirements are so critical — by the time clinical signs appear, an animal may have already spread the disease agent throughout a flock.

Most animals are infected as young lambs or kids, but adult animals can get it too. Apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it. Common clinical signs include incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia), weakness, stumbling, and difficulty rising.

The presence of classical scrapie in the U.S. sheep and goat population affects industry economically through production losses, lost exports, and increased production and disposal costs. Public health concerns related to the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to humans have resulted in efforts to eradicate all TSEs in food-producing animals. For Delaware producers, this means that participating in the eradication program is not just a legal requirement — it directly affects the commercial value and export eligibility of your animals.

There is currently no epidemiological evidence that scrapie is a zoonotic disease. Consuming or working with sheep or goats or their products does not appear to cause scrapie disease in humans. Nonetheless, the regulatory framework remains robust because of the broader TSE context and the ongoing need to protect trade relationships.

Delaware’s Role in the National Scrapie Eradication Program

Surveillance for scrapie in the United States is conducted through the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP), a cooperative State-Federal-industry program. Delaware is one of the state partners in this cooperative structure, contributing surveillance data, enforcing identification requirements, and coordinating with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services.

The National Scrapie Eradication Program has two major components: a regulatory eradication program called the Accelerated Scrapie Eradication Program (ASEP) and a voluntary certification program called the Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP). Delaware producers interact with both components depending on their operation type and goals.

The National Scrapie Eradication Program, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has reduced the prevalence of scrapie in adult sheep sampled at slaughter by over 99 percent. Following changes in the eradication efforts that focused on surveillance, genetic resistance, and traceability, the U.S. has finally come within three years of being declared scrapie-free by international standards.

For a country to be considered free of scrapie, international standards require that no sheep or goats test positive for classical scrapie for seven years. Delaware’s consistent compliance with identification, recordkeeping, and surveillance requirements directly contributes to reaching that milestone for the entire country.

State-level classification also matters for how surveillance is conducted. How states are classified into stages has not changed from the 2019 surveillance plan. States that have had a scrapie case in sheep in the last 7 fiscal years or have not met at least 90 percent of the sampling minimums for 4 out of the last 5 years are considered Stage 1. All other states are in Stage 2 and are considered low risk for scrapie. Delaware’s Consistent State status and compliance history keep it in the lower-risk Stage 2 category, which reduces the sampling burden on producers.

You can find the full federal regulatory framework governing this program in 9 CFR Part 79 — Scrapie in Sheep and Goats, which is the primary federal rule all Delaware producers must comply with. Delaware-specific regulations are published at Title 3, Section 902 of the Delaware Administrative Code. You may also want to familiarize yourself with other Delaware animal ownership regulations that may apply to your property.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Delaware

Official identification is the backbone of the entire scrapie eradication effort. Without it, tracing an infected animal back to its flock of origin — and forward to every animal it may have exposed — is impossible. The animals listed below are required by federal and/or state regulations to be identified as part of the National Scrapie Eradication Program before they enter interstate commerce or if ownership changes. Some states have ID requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed below do not apply in all states.

All sheep and goats must have official ID when moving off their premises of origin. Delaware, as a Consistent State, enforces this requirement for intrastate ownership changes as well, which means you must tag animals before selling or transferring them even within the state.

The approved forms of official identification under the NSEP include:

• Official eartags — plastic flock ID tags or metal serial tags approved by APHIS
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags — electronic tags that can be scanned for faster processing
• Implantable electronic devices (microchips) — subject to restrictions; refer to the NSEP Program Standards for limitations
• Registry tattoos — for registered animals accompanied by documentation

The Code of Federal Regulations part 79.2 and the National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards allow sheep and goats to be officially identified with registry tattoos for movement in interstate commerce with some exceptions. Tattooed registered animals may be identified with a registration tattoo instead of a tag, as long as the animal is accompanied by a copy of the registration certificate issued by an APHIS-approved registry listing the current owner or the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 60 days that lists the current owner.

The National Scrapie Eradication Program is providing up to 100 plastic flock ID tags free-of-charge to first-time participants in the sheep and goat identification program until available funds are expended. Producers and others who handle sheep or goats in commerce who need additional tags or want a different type or color of tag may purchase official plastic, metal, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags directly from approved tag manufacturers. A flock or premises ID is required to order tags from these sources. A national premises ID is also required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices.

Flock ID tag numbers are the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the State followed by an individual animal number. Metal serial tag numbers have the State postal abbreviation, two letters followed by four numbers. Official tags are non-transferable. Official tags may not be sold or given to another person. If you no longer need the tags, they should be destroyed or returned to the APHIS Veterinary Services District Field Office for your state.

APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to encourage the use of electronic identification to improve the nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak. Delaware producers who adopt RFID technology are better positioned for the traceability demands of future program updates. For more on Delaware’s broader animal regulatory landscape, see the state’s poultry and livestock ownership regulations.

Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Delaware

Before you can obtain official identification tags in Delaware, you must have a flock or premises ID assigned by APHIS or the Delaware Department of Agriculture. This registration links your animals to a specific location in the National Scrapie Database, making traceback possible if a positive animal is ever identified.

Producers are required to follow federal and state regulations for officially identifying their sheep and goats. Producers must also keep herd records, showing what new animals were added and what animals left the herd or flock. These records are not optional — they are a mandatory compliance element that APHIS or Delaware state officials may inspect.

Your recordkeeping system must be able to account for the following for each animal:

• Official ID number (tag number, tattoo, or electronic ID)
• Date of acquisition or birth
• Source of the animal (flock of origin)
• Date of disposal, sale, or death
• Destination when the animal leaves your premises

APHIS published a final rule in the Federal Register in 2019, updating scrapie program regulations under 9 CFR 79. The rule established a more flexible approach to disease investigations and affected flock management and more consistent animal identification and recordkeeping requirements for sheep and goats. The 2019 rule also moved many specific requirements into the NSEP Program Standards document, which you should review alongside the CFR.

Official identification numbers for use on animals not in slaughter channels may only be assigned either directly to the owner of a breeding flock for application to animals that originated in a breeding flock owned by them, or, in the case of official serial numbers or serial number devices, to APHIS or State representatives or accredited veterinarians or other responsible individuals. APHIS and State personnel who apply or issue official identification must provide to APHIS, in a manner acceptable to APHIS, assignment data associating the serial numbers applied to animals or issued to owners, to the flock of origin.

Delaware’s designation as a Consistent State under 9 CFR 79.6 means the state has enacted and is enforcing official ID and recordkeeping requirements for intrastate ownership changes. The 2001 revision required states to implement and enforce official identification of most sheep and goats on change of ownership intrastate in order to move sheep and goats interstate with minimal restrictions. Maintaining that Consistent State status benefits every Delaware producer through fewer interstate movement restrictions.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Delaware

Movement rules are one of the most practically important aspects of the scrapie program for Delaware producers. Whether you are selling breeding stock to a buyer in Maryland, sending animals to a Pennsylvania auction, or moving animals between your own Delaware premises, specific rules apply.

In September 2001, the scrapie regulations were revised to require the official identification of sheep and goats not in slaughter channels (except low-risk commercial goats) and any sheep over 18 months of age in interstate commerce with some exceptions. These baseline federal requirements apply to all Delaware producers moving animals across state lines.

The table below summarizes the key movement scenarios and their identification requirements:

An Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) is an official document issued by a Federal, State, Tribal, or accredited veterinarian certifying the inspection of animals in preparation for interstate movement or other uses as described in 9 CFR Part 79. For breeding animals moving out of or into Delaware, you will typically need an ICVI issued by an accredited veterinarian before the animals leave the premises.

Some states have identification requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed below do not apply in all states. For information on each state’s ID and movement requirements, contact the State Veterinarian’s office. Before shipping animals to another state, always verify the destination state’s specific import requirements, as they may exceed federal minimums.

Delaware producers moving animals to neighboring states should also be aware that state importation requirements may vary, so you should check each state’s importation requirements prior to sending the animals. CVIs are required by USDA for breeding sheep and goats in interstate commerce. CVIs may be required for other classes or types of sheep or goats by some states.

If you also keep other regulated animals on your property, Delaware’s animal control laws and exotic animal regulations may intersect with your operational planning. For context on how Delaware regulates other livestock, see the state’s exotic animal ownership framework.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Delaware

Surveillance — the active search for scrapie cases — is the mechanism that allows the NSEP to find remaining infections and ultimately achieve eradication. Delaware producers play a direct role in this surveillance through mandatory reporting obligations and voluntary sample submission.

If you have an adult sheep or goat that is exhibiting signs of scrapie such as incoordination, severe continuous rubbing or other neurologic signs, or an adult animal dies or is euthanized, or is being culled (even if you know the cause of death), please contact your local State or USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services veterinarian or call 866-536-7593 right away. Prompt reporting is not just good practice — it is a regulatory obligation when clinical signs are present.

There is no charge for the collection or testing of the samples for scrapie. APHIS provides shipping boxes and pre-printed, postage-paid labels at no cost to producers and accredited veterinarians. APHIS will pay for scrapie testing of up to 30 animals per flock per year. This cost-free testing removes a major barrier to participation in surveillance.

You have several options for submitting samples:

• Producers may remove and submit whole heads from deceased animals or report the death and request assistance with sample collection.
• Accredited veterinarians may remove and submit whole heads or collect and submit specified tissues using APHIS-approved protocols.
• APHIS representatives and State animal health employees may also collect and submit samples.

Positive test results will be confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) or an NVSL-approved laboratory. Once a positive result is confirmed, APHIS will initiate a classification investigation to determine the flock’s status and required response actions.

When a flock is classified as infected or a source flock, quarantine and cleanup requirements apply. To eliminate the disease from an infected flock or herd, genetically susceptible exposed animals and animals showing clinical signs are euthanized and the premises is cleaned and disinfected. Prions are difficult to decontaminate as they have been shown to tightly bind to surfaces without losing infectivity. They are resistant to most disinfectants including alcohol and formalin. Prion contamination has also been shown to have resistance to heat and radiation.

APHIS provides the following assistance to owners of exposed and infected flocks or herds that participate in cleanup plans: indemnity for high-risk, suspect, and scrapie-positive sheep and exposed goats that owners agree to destroy; and genetic testing of sheep for scrapie susceptibility. Producers who cooperate fully with cleanup plans are eligible for this financial and technical assistance.

Delaware’s surveillance obligations are tracked against state sampling minimums. Stage 2 state sampling minimums for targeted mature sheep require sampling of 4 out of every 1,000 breeding ewes in the population (0.4 percent). Delaware, as a low-risk Stage 2 state, is held to this standard. Falling below 90 percent of the sampling minimum for four out of five consecutive years would trigger reclassification to Stage 1 and increased requirements.

You can also review Delaware’s broader approach to animal health reporting by looking at how the state handles animal mortality reporting and domestic animal control obligations.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Delaware

While the regulatory eradication program sets the floor for what all Delaware sheep and goat producers must do, the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) offers a voluntary pathway to a higher standard — one that can significantly improve the marketability of your animals both domestically and internationally.

The SFCP is a voluntary program that is open to all sheep and goat producers in the United States. The overall objective of the SFCP is to minimize the scrapie risk of participating flocks and herds, thereby improving the marketability of animals from participating flocks and herds and contributing to the national scrapie eradication program.

The SFCP has two categories: Export and Select. The Export category has two statuses (Export Monitored and Export Certified), and the Select category has one status (Select Monitored). Each status level carries different requirements and confers different commercial benefits.

The objective of the Export category is to certify participating flocks and herds as scrapie-free establishments through limiting the acquisition of does and ewes from flocks of the same or higher status, annual inspections including reconciliation of the animal inventory, official individual animal identification requirements, recordkeeping requirements, and animal sampling requirements.

To enroll in the SFCP in Delaware, you work through the Delaware Department of Agriculture and your USDA APHIS Veterinary Services contact. The program requires:

• A valid flock or premises ID already on file with APHIS
• Complete and current animal inventory records
• Official individual ID on all animals in the flock
• Annual inspections conducted by a State or APHIS representative
• Acquisition of new breeding females only from flocks of equal or higher SFCP status
• Submission of samples from animals that die or are euthanized

SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. These distinct tags signal your flock’s certified status to buyers, auction markets, and export agents, functioning as a visible credential at the point of sale.

The U.S. sheep and goat industry continues to experience export losses and increased production and disposal costs because the United States is not free of scrapie. For Delaware producers targeting premium markets or international buyers, SFCP certification is one of the most effective tools available to differentiate your animals and command higher prices.

To get started with SFCP enrollment or to ask questions about your flock’s current status, contact the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program directly, or reach out to the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health section. You can also email APHIS at scrapie@usda.gov or call 1-866-USDA-TAG for tag and enrollment assistance.

Delaware sheep and goat producers who stay current with scrapie program requirements protect not only their own operations but also contribute to the national goal of full eradication. With the U.S. now closer than ever to meeting the international seven-year disease-free standard, your compliance in Delaware is a meaningful part of a decades-long effort that benefits every producer in the country. For more on animal regulations in the First State, explore Delaware’s rules on wildlife and hunting seasons and native wildlife management.