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Scrapie eradication program in Louisiana

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If you raise sheep or goats in Louisiana, federal and state scrapie regulations apply to your operation whether you run a small hobby flock or a large commercial herd. Scrapie is a fatal, untreatable disease, and the rules surrounding its eradication touch nearly every aspect of how you identify, move, and manage your animals.

Understanding your obligations under the National Scrapie Eradication Program is not just about compliance — it protects your animals, your neighbors’ flocks, and Louisiana’s livestock industry as a whole. This guide walks you through each major component of the program as it applies to Louisiana producers.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Louisiana

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. There is no cure or treatment for scrapie. Because the disease is always fatal and spreads silently through flocks, it has been a federal regulatory priority for decades.

It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and animals typically live only 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. This long incubation window is precisely what makes scrapie so dangerous — infected animals can be bought, sold, and moved across state lines before anyone knows a problem exists.

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 signs to watch for include:

Incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)

Weakness, stumbling, falling, or difficulty rising

Severe, continuous rubbing against fences or structures

Other neurological signs in adult animals

The presence of classical scrapie in the U.S. sheep and goat population affects the 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.

Infected flocks that contain a high percentage of susceptible animals can experience significant production losses. Over a period of several years the number of infected animals increases, and the age at onset of clinical signs decreases, making these flocks economically unviable. Animals sold from infected flocks spread scrapie to other flocks.

Important Note: Scrapie is classified as a reportable disease. If any of your sheep or goats over 12 months of age show neurological signs consistent with scrapie, you are required to report it. Contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) State Veterinarian or call the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services line at 866-536-7593.

Louisiana producers raising sheep and goats alongside other livestock should also be aware of the broader wildlife and animal health landscape in the state. Resources on venomous animals in Louisiana can help you identify risks to your herd from the natural environment as well.

In case you missed it: Animal Cruelty Laws in Maryland: What the Law Covers, Who Enforces It, and What Happens to Violators

Louisiana’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. Louisiana participates as a full partner in this effort, and its cooperation is essential to achieving national disease freedom.

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). Both components apply to Louisiana producers.

Louisiana is among all 50 states that the Administrator has evaluated and determined to be a Consistent State under the NSEP. The definition of Consistent State applies to states conducting an active state scrapie control program that meets certain requirements. Maintaining this status means Louisiana enforces official animal identification, restricts the movement of certain animals, and submits tissue samples from positive or suspect animals for testing.

Since 2002, the prevalence of scrapie has decreased significantly through existing eradication efforts, largely as a result of effective slaughter surveillance. Since slaughter surveillance started in FY 2003, the percent of cull sheep found positive at slaughter (once adjusted for face color) has decreased 99 percent.

Despite this progress, in order to declare the U.S. “scrapie free,” APHIS must be able to prove to the world that testing has been conducted in all sheep and goat populations. This is why submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on your farm is extremely important.

Key Insight: Louisiana’s Consistent State status directly benefits your operation. Animals moving out of Consistent States face fewer interstate movement restrictions than those from non-compliant states, making your animals more marketable across the country.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) administers the state-level components of the program in coordination with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. For livestock transport questions specific to Louisiana, the LDAF livestock transporting page provides current health certificate requirements and movement regulations.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Louisiana

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.

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. Always confirm current Louisiana-specific requirements with the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office.

More story: Right to Farm Laws in Pennsylvania: What Farmers Need to Know

Accepted Forms of Official Identification

APHIS has approved several companies to manufacture and sell official devices, including tags and injectable transponders. Producers should consider the different devices available — including metal or plastic tags, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and RFID implants (there are restrictions on the use of implants) — and choose what works best for them.

Visual eartags — Must be read by handlers or inspectors; available in plastic or metal

Electronic (RFID) eartags — Contain electronic chips that can be scanned to quickly access identification data

Implantable transponders (microchips) — Subject to restrictions; refer to page 55 of the NSEP Program Standards

Registry tattoos — Allowed for registered animals when accompanied by proper 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 must be 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.

While electronic identification is not currently mandatory, its use is strongly encouraged. Electronic tags improve the nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of a disease outbreak, making them a valuable tool in disease prevention and response.

How to Obtain Official Tags in Louisiana

The National Scrapie Eradication Program provides 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. To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). This number has a telephone tree that will gather information to route you to the correct APHIS Veterinary Services or State office to answer your questions about sheep and goat identification.

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 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.

Pro Tip: Tag placement matters. The preferred placement for official eartags is in the left ear, which aids in shearing and makes the tag easier to read during routine handling. Official tags may not be sold or transferred to another person — if you no longer need unused tags, destroy them or return them to your APHIS Veterinary Services District Field Office.

Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Louisiana

Before you can obtain official identification tags in Louisiana, you must have a flock or premises identification number assigned to your operation. This number ties your animals to a specific location in the National Scrapie Database, which is the foundation of the entire traceability system.

The scrapie eradication program pre-dates the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Program. As a result, there have been changes in the premises ID numbers that may be assigned by the states and APHIS for sheep and goat premises to now include PINs and LIDs. Contact LDAF or your APHIS Veterinary Services office to confirm which type of premises ID applies to your operation.

What Records You Must Keep

Since the incubation period for scrapie is typically two to five years, producers should record individual identification numbers and the seller’s premises identification number on purchase and sales records. Federal regulations require you to maintain records that allow animals to be traced back to their flock of origin.

Just for you: Open Range Laws in North Dakota: What Livestock Owners and Landowners Need to Know

If you apply official ID, you must retain records on those animals for 5 years, including the date you identified the animals and the identification numbers applied, such that animals may be traced back to their flock or herd of origin.

Your flock records should include, at minimum:

All animals added to the flock, with the seller’s premises ID and the individual animal ID numbers

All animals removed from the flock, with the buyer’s information and ID numbers

The date of each transaction or movement

Any deaths, euthanizations, or slaughter of animals over 18 months of age

Results of any scrapie tests conducted on your animals

Common Mistake: Many producers keep purchase records but fail to document animals leaving the flock. Incomplete outgoing records are one of the most common compliance gaps identified during program inspections. Both incoming and outgoing animal movements must be documented with ID numbers and dates.

Many of the specific requirements regarding official eartags and official ID methods such as tattoos and implantable electronic ID (microchips) and on how indemnity is calculated were moved to the Scrapie Program Standards, Volume 1: National Scrapie Eradication Program. As of November 1, 2021, the section pertaining to how commercial sheep and goat indemnity values are calculated was superseded by the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table. The commercial indemnity values in this table represent harmonized methods and data sources at the USDA level, and will be updated each calendar year.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Louisiana

To control the spread of scrapie within the United States, APHIS administers regulations at 9 CFR part 79, which restrict the interstate movement of certain sheep and goats. As a Louisiana producer, you need to understand both sets of rules — those governing movement across state lines and those governing movement within Louisiana.

Interstate Movement Requirements

The scrapie regulations were revised in September 2001 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.

All sheep and goats must have official ID when moving off their premises of origin, with specific exceptions. Animals that may be exempt from the individual ID requirement include:

Sheep and goats under 18 months of age in slaughter channels, or sheep and goats of any age shipped directly to a slaughter establishment or a federally approved market that has agreed to act as an agent for the owner to apply official ID when all animals in a section of a truck are from the same flock of origin

Castrated sheep or goats under 18 months of age

Sheep or goats moved for grazing or similar management reasons without a change of ownership, when moved from a premises owned or leased by the owner to another premises owned or leased by the same owner, provided the premises is recorded in the National Scrapie Database as additional flock premises and commingling does not occur with unidentified animals born in another flock

Important Note: These federal exemptions do not automatically apply in Louisiana. Some states have identification requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed may not apply in all states. For information on each state’s ID and movement requirements, contact the State Veterinarian’s office. Contact LDAF at their Animal Health and Food Safety division to confirm current Louisiana-specific exemptions before moving animals.

Intrastate Movement Requirements

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. This means that Louisiana’s intrastate ID rules are directly tied to your ability to move animals across state lines with fewer restrictions.

Intrastate sheep and goat identification requirements vary from state to state. Louisiana producers moving animals within the state who intend to eventually sell or move those animals out of state must ensure their animals carry official ID. Maintaining proper intrastate identification from the start avoids complications at the time of interstate sale.

Related reading: Nuisance Wildlife Laws in Oregon: What Property Owners Need to Know

For current health certificate requirements when transporting livestock into or out of Louisiana, consult the LDAF livestock transportation page and the USDA APHIS scrapie page for the most up-to-date federal movement rules.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Louisiana

Reporting suspect animals and submitting samples from dead animals are two of the most critical obligations Louisiana producers have under the NSEP. These actions are what allow state and federal officials to find and eliminate the remaining cases of scrapie in the United States.

When and How to Report Suspect Animals

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), contact your local state or USDA APHIS Veterinary Services veterinarian or call 866-536-7593 right away.

The most recent two cases of scrapie found in the U.S. were sampled at slaughter — a sheep tested in Wisconsin in 2021 and a goat in Indiana in 2019. However, APHIS was unable to trace these to the farms of origin. It is likely there are still farms with cases of scrapie. Your reports from the farm level are essential to finding those cases.

Sample Submission Requirements

Submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on farm is extremely important. Infected sheep are identified through active slaughter surveillance, reporting of suspect animals by producers and accredited veterinarians, testing of mature sheep or goats that die on farm or at other locations, and live-animal testing of higher risk animals.

If an affected, suspect, or scrapie-positive animal dies or is destroyed, tissues must be submitted for diagnostic testing to a laboratory authorized by the Administrator to conduct scrapie tests in accordance with the regulations, and the carcass must be completely destroyed.

Quarantine and Flock Management

When a flock is designated as infected or a source flock, APHIS and LDAF will work with you to develop a flock plan. Quarantines of affected flocks are released only upon completion of a flock plan and agreement by the owner to participate in a post-exposure monitoring and management plan.

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.

Latest update: How to Report Animal Cruelty in Mississippi: Laws, Steps, and Penalties

APHIS has amended the scrapie regulations by changing the risk groups and categories established for individual animals and for flocks, increasing the use of genetic testing as a means of assigning risk levels to animals, and reducing movement restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or resistant to scrapie.

Pro Tip: Until a more sensitive, cost-effective live-animal test is available, the risk of scrapie introduction can be substantially reduced by maintaining a closed ewe flock, by acquiring female animals only from certified free flocks, zones, or countries, and/or by acquiring ewes that are genetically resistant or less susceptible.

Louisiana’s diverse agricultural environment means producers also manage a range of wildlife interactions on their properties. If you’re concerned about predators or other wildlife near your flock, resources on types of snakes in Louisiana and types of hawks in Louisiana can help you identify species that may be present around your livestock.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Louisiana

The Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) is designed to monitor flocks for scrapie and to certify flocks that have met all requirements of the Export category of the program as scrapie-free. Any sheep or goat owner or manager may apply to participate in the SFCP.

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.

Program Categories and Statuses

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).

Category | Status | Primary Goal
Export | Export Monitored | Initial monitoring phase toward full export certification
Export | Export Certified | Full certification as a scrapie-free flock for export eligibility
Select | Select Monitored | Ongoing monitoring to demonstrate low scrapie risk and improve domestic marketability

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.

Benefits of SFCP Participation for Louisiana Producers

The program provides sheep and goat producers the opportunity to increase the marketability of their animals through demonstrating a negligible scrapie risk in their flock or herd. For Louisiana producers who sell breeding stock, participation in the SFCP can be a significant competitive advantage.

The presence of scrapie in the United States prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries. If you sell or plan to sell animals internationally, Export Certified status under the SFCP may be required by the destination country.

How to Enroll in the SFCP in Louisiana

Enrollment in the SFCP is managed through USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in coordination with LDAF. To begin the enrollment process:

1. Ensure your flock already has an assigned flock or premises ID number in the National Scrapie Database

2. Confirm all animals in your flock are officially identified with approved ID devices

3. Contact your APHIS Veterinary Services area office or the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office to request SFCP enrollment materials

4. Complete an initial flock inspection and inventory reconciliation with a program veterinarian

5. Agree to ongoing annual inspections, recordkeeping, and animal sampling requirements appropriate to your chosen program status

SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. Once enrolled, your animals will carry SFCP-specific identification tags that signal their certified status to buyers, markets, and regulatory officials.

Key Insight: The Scrapie Flock Certification Program was added in 1992 and is a voluntary certification program within the NSEP. The SFCP identifies scrapie-free flocks by monitoring them over a 5 to 7 year period. Starting the process early in your operation’s life gives you the best timeline for achieving full certified status when you need it most.

For more information on the SFCP and to access enrollment resources, visit the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program page or the SFCP online portal. You can also reach the national sheep and goat ID line at 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824) for routing to the correct Louisiana office.

Managing a healthy flock in Louisiana means staying aware of the full range of animals that share the state’s environment. Whether you’re curious about local wildlife near your pastures or looking for general information about Louisiana’s fauna, resources on types of owls in Louisiana and squirrels in Louisiana offer helpful context about the natural surroundings your animals live in.

Compliance with Louisiana’s scrapie eradication requirements protects your investment, keeps your animals eligible for the broadest possible markets, and contributes to the shared goal of eliminating this disease from the United States entirely. When in doubt about any requirement, contact the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office or your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services representative before moving or selling animals.

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Spread the love for animals! 🐾

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Spread the love for animals! 🐾

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If you raise sheep or goats in Louisiana, federal and state scrapie regulations apply to your operation whether you run a small hobby flock or a large commercial herd. Scrapie is a fatal, untreatable disease, and the rules surrounding its eradication touch nearly every aspect of how you identify, move, and manage your animals.

Understanding your obligations under the National Scrapie Eradication Program is not just about compliance — it protects your animals, your neighbors’ flocks, and Louisiana’s livestock industry as a whole. This guide walks you through each major component of the program as it applies to Louisiana producers.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Louisiana

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. There is no cure or treatment for scrapie. Because the disease is always fatal and spreads silently through flocks, it has been a federal regulatory priority for decades.

It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and animals typically live only 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. This long incubation window is precisely what makes scrapie so dangerous — infected animals can be bought, sold, and moved across state lines before anyone knows a problem exists.

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 signs to watch for include:

Incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)

Weakness, stumbling, falling, or difficulty rising

Severe, continuous rubbing against fences or structures

Other neurological signs in adult animals

The presence of classical scrapie in the U.S. sheep and goat population affects the 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.

Infected flocks that contain a high percentage of susceptible animals can experience significant production losses. Over a period of several years the number of infected animals increases, and the age at onset of clinical signs decreases, making these flocks economically unviable. Animals sold from infected flocks spread scrapie to other flocks.

Important Note: Scrapie is classified as a reportable disease. If any of your sheep or goats over 12 months of age show neurological signs consistent with scrapie, you are required to report it. Contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) State Veterinarian or call the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services line at 866-536-7593.

Louisiana producers raising sheep and goats alongside other livestock should also be aware of the broader wildlife and animal health landscape in the state. Resources on venomous animals in Louisiana can help you identify risks to your herd from the natural environment as well.

In case you missed it: Animal Cruelty Laws in Maryland: What the Law Covers, Who Enforces It, and What Happens to Violators

Louisiana’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. Louisiana participates as a full partner in this effort, and its cooperation is essential to achieving national disease freedom.

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). Both components apply to Louisiana producers.

Louisiana is among all 50 states that the Administrator has evaluated and determined to be a Consistent State under the NSEP. The definition of Consistent State applies to states conducting an active state scrapie control program that meets certain requirements. Maintaining this status means Louisiana enforces official animal identification, restricts the movement of certain animals, and submits tissue samples from positive or suspect animals for testing.

Since 2002, the prevalence of scrapie has decreased significantly through existing eradication efforts, largely as a result of effective slaughter surveillance. Since slaughter surveillance started in FY 2003, the percent of cull sheep found positive at slaughter (once adjusted for face color) has decreased 99 percent.

Despite this progress, in order to declare the U.S. “scrapie free,” APHIS must be able to prove to the world that testing has been conducted in all sheep and goat populations. This is why submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on your farm is extremely important.

Key Insight: Louisiana’s Consistent State status directly benefits your operation. Animals moving out of Consistent States face fewer interstate movement restrictions than those from non-compliant states, making your animals more marketable across the country.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) administers the state-level components of the program in coordination with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. For livestock transport questions specific to Louisiana, the LDAF livestock transporting page provides current health certificate requirements and movement regulations.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Louisiana

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.

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. Always confirm current Louisiana-specific requirements with the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office.

More story: Right to Farm Laws in Pennsylvania: What Farmers Need to Know

Accepted Forms of Official Identification

APHIS has approved several companies to manufacture and sell official devices, including tags and injectable transponders. Producers should consider the different devices available — including metal or plastic tags, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and RFID implants (there are restrictions on the use of implants) — and choose what works best for them.

Visual eartags — Must be read by handlers or inspectors; available in plastic or metal

Electronic (RFID) eartags — Contain electronic chips that can be scanned to quickly access identification data

Implantable transponders (microchips) — Subject to restrictions; refer to page 55 of the NSEP Program Standards

Registry tattoos — Allowed for registered animals when accompanied by proper 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 must be 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.

While electronic identification is not currently mandatory, its use is strongly encouraged. Electronic tags improve the nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of a disease outbreak, making them a valuable tool in disease prevention and response.

How to Obtain Official Tags in Louisiana

The National Scrapie Eradication Program provides 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. To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). This number has a telephone tree that will gather information to route you to the correct APHIS Veterinary Services or State office to answer your questions about sheep and goat identification.

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 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.

Pro Tip: Tag placement matters. The preferred placement for official eartags is in the left ear, which aids in shearing and makes the tag easier to read during routine handling. Official tags may not be sold or transferred to another person — if you no longer need unused tags, destroy them or return them to your APHIS Veterinary Services District Field Office.

Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Louisiana

Before you can obtain official identification tags in Louisiana, you must have a flock or premises identification number assigned to your operation. This number ties your animals to a specific location in the National Scrapie Database, which is the foundation of the entire traceability system.

The scrapie eradication program pre-dates the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Program. As a result, there have been changes in the premises ID numbers that may be assigned by the states and APHIS for sheep and goat premises to now include PINs and LIDs. Contact LDAF or your APHIS Veterinary Services office to confirm which type of premises ID applies to your operation.

What Records You Must Keep

Since the incubation period for scrapie is typically two to five years, producers should record individual identification numbers and the seller’s premises identification number on purchase and sales records. Federal regulations require you to maintain records that allow animals to be traced back to their flock of origin.

Just for you: Open Range Laws in North Dakota: What Livestock Owners and Landowners Need to Know

If you apply official ID, you must retain records on those animals for 5 years, including the date you identified the animals and the identification numbers applied, such that animals may be traced back to their flock or herd of origin.

Your flock records should include, at minimum:

All animals added to the flock, with the seller’s premises ID and the individual animal ID numbers

All animals removed from the flock, with the buyer’s information and ID numbers

The date of each transaction or movement

Any deaths, euthanizations, or slaughter of animals over 18 months of age

Results of any scrapie tests conducted on your animals

Common Mistake: Many producers keep purchase records but fail to document animals leaving the flock. Incomplete outgoing records are one of the most common compliance gaps identified during program inspections. Both incoming and outgoing animal movements must be documented with ID numbers and dates.

Many of the specific requirements regarding official eartags and official ID methods such as tattoos and implantable electronic ID (microchips) and on how indemnity is calculated were moved to the Scrapie Program Standards, Volume 1: National Scrapie Eradication Program. As of November 1, 2021, the section pertaining to how commercial sheep and goat indemnity values are calculated was superseded by the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table. The commercial indemnity values in this table represent harmonized methods and data sources at the USDA level, and will be updated each calendar year.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Louisiana

To control the spread of scrapie within the United States, APHIS administers regulations at 9 CFR part 79, which restrict the interstate movement of certain sheep and goats. As a Louisiana producer, you need to understand both sets of rules — those governing movement across state lines and those governing movement within Louisiana.

Interstate Movement Requirements

The scrapie regulations were revised in September 2001 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.

All sheep and goats must have official ID when moving off their premises of origin, with specific exceptions. Animals that may be exempt from the individual ID requirement include:

Sheep and goats under 18 months of age in slaughter channels, or sheep and goats of any age shipped directly to a slaughter establishment or a federally approved market that has agreed to act as an agent for the owner to apply official ID when all animals in a section of a truck are from the same flock of origin

Castrated sheep or goats under 18 months of age

Sheep or goats moved for grazing or similar management reasons without a change of ownership, when moved from a premises owned or leased by the owner to another premises owned or leased by the same owner, provided the premises is recorded in the National Scrapie Database as additional flock premises and commingling does not occur with unidentified animals born in another flock

Important Note: These federal exemptions do not automatically apply in Louisiana. Some states have identification requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed may not apply in all states. For information on each state’s ID and movement requirements, contact the State Veterinarian’s office. Contact LDAF at their Animal Health and Food Safety division to confirm current Louisiana-specific exemptions before moving animals.

Intrastate Movement Requirements

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. This means that Louisiana’s intrastate ID rules are directly tied to your ability to move animals across state lines with fewer restrictions.

Intrastate sheep and goat identification requirements vary from state to state. Louisiana producers moving animals within the state who intend to eventually sell or move those animals out of state must ensure their animals carry official ID. Maintaining proper intrastate identification from the start avoids complications at the time of interstate sale.

Related reading: Nuisance Wildlife Laws in Oregon: What Property Owners Need to Know

For current health certificate requirements when transporting livestock into or out of Louisiana, consult the LDAF livestock transportation page and the USDA APHIS scrapie page for the most up-to-date federal movement rules.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Louisiana

Reporting suspect animals and submitting samples from dead animals are two of the most critical obligations Louisiana producers have under the NSEP. These actions are what allow state and federal officials to find and eliminate the remaining cases of scrapie in the United States.

When and How to Report Suspect Animals

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), contact your local state or USDA APHIS Veterinary Services veterinarian or call 866-536-7593 right away.

The most recent two cases of scrapie found in the U.S. were sampled at slaughter — a sheep tested in Wisconsin in 2021 and a goat in Indiana in 2019. However, APHIS was unable to trace these to the farms of origin. It is likely there are still farms with cases of scrapie. Your reports from the farm level are essential to finding those cases.

Sample Submission Requirements

Submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on farm is extremely important. Infected sheep are identified through active slaughter surveillance, reporting of suspect animals by producers and accredited veterinarians, testing of mature sheep or goats that die on farm or at other locations, and live-animal testing of higher risk animals.

If an affected, suspect, or scrapie-positive animal dies or is destroyed, tissues must be submitted for diagnostic testing to a laboratory authorized by the Administrator to conduct scrapie tests in accordance with the regulations, and the carcass must be completely destroyed.

Quarantine and Flock Management

When a flock is designated as infected or a source flock, APHIS and LDAF will work with you to develop a flock plan. Quarantines of affected flocks are released only upon completion of a flock plan and agreement by the owner to participate in a post-exposure monitoring and management plan.

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.

Latest update: How to Report Animal Cruelty in Mississippi: Laws, Steps, and Penalties

APHIS has amended the scrapie regulations by changing the risk groups and categories established for individual animals and for flocks, increasing the use of genetic testing as a means of assigning risk levels to animals, and reducing movement restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or resistant to scrapie.

Pro Tip: Until a more sensitive, cost-effective live-animal test is available, the risk of scrapie introduction can be substantially reduced by maintaining a closed ewe flock, by acquiring female animals only from certified free flocks, zones, or countries, and/or by acquiring ewes that are genetically resistant or less susceptible.

Louisiana’s diverse agricultural environment means producers also manage a range of wildlife interactions on their properties. If you’re concerned about predators or other wildlife near your flock, resources on types of snakes in Louisiana and types of hawks in Louisiana can help you identify species that may be present around your livestock.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Louisiana

The Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) is designed to monitor flocks for scrapie and to certify flocks that have met all requirements of the Export category of the program as scrapie-free. Any sheep or goat owner or manager may apply to participate in the SFCP.

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.

Program Categories and Statuses

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).

Category | Status | Primary Goal
Export | Export Monitored | Initial monitoring phase toward full export certification
Export | Export Certified | Full certification as a scrapie-free flock for export eligibility
Select | Select Monitored | Ongoing monitoring to demonstrate low scrapie risk and improve domestic marketability

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.

Benefits of SFCP Participation for Louisiana Producers

The program provides sheep and goat producers the opportunity to increase the marketability of their animals through demonstrating a negligible scrapie risk in their flock or herd. For Louisiana producers who sell breeding stock, participation in the SFCP can be a significant competitive advantage.

The presence of scrapie in the United States prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries. If you sell or plan to sell animals internationally, Export Certified status under the SFCP may be required by the destination country.

How to Enroll in the SFCP in Louisiana

Enrollment in the SFCP is managed through USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in coordination with LDAF. To begin the enrollment process:

1. Ensure your flock already has an assigned flock or premises ID number in the National Scrapie Database

2. Confirm all animals in your flock are officially identified with approved ID devices

3. Contact your APHIS Veterinary Services area office or the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office to request SFCP enrollment materials

4. Complete an initial flock inspection and inventory reconciliation with a program veterinarian

5. Agree to ongoing annual inspections, recordkeeping, and animal sampling requirements appropriate to your chosen program status

SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. Once enrolled, your animals will carry SFCP-specific identification tags that signal their certified status to buyers, markets, and regulatory officials.

Key Insight: The Scrapie Flock Certification Program was added in 1992 and is a voluntary certification program within the NSEP. The SFCP identifies scrapie-free flocks by monitoring them over a 5 to 7 year period. Starting the process early in your operation’s life gives you the best timeline for achieving full certified status when you need it most.

For more information on the SFCP and to access enrollment resources, visit the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program page or the SFCP online portal. You can also reach the national sheep and goat ID line at 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824) for routing to the correct Louisiana office.

Managing a healthy flock in Louisiana means staying aware of the full range of animals that share the state’s environment. Whether you’re curious about local wildlife near your pastures or looking for general information about Louisiana’s fauna, resources on types of owls in Louisiana and squirrels in Louisiana offer helpful context about the natural surroundings your animals live in.

Compliance with Louisiana’s scrapie eradication requirements protects your investment, keeps your animals eligible for the broadest possible markets, and contributes to the shared goal of eliminating this disease from the United States entirely. When in doubt about any requirement, contact the LDAF State Veterinarian’s office or your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services representative before moving or selling animals.

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Louisiana Scrapie Eradication Program: What Sheep and Goat Producers Need to Know

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Louisiana Scrapie Eradication Program: What Sheep and Goat Producers Need to Know

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Scrapie eradication program in Louisiana

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Scrapie eradication program in Louisiana

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If you raise sheep or goats in Louisiana, federal and state scrapie regulations apply to your operation whether you run a small hobby flock or a large commercial herd. Scrapie is a fatal, untreatable disease, and the rules surrounding its eradication touch nearly every aspect of how you identify, move, and manage your animals.

Understanding your obligations under the National Scrapie Eradication Program is not just about compliance — it protects your animals, your neighbors' flocks, and […]

# summary
If you raise sheep or goats in Louisiana, federal and state scrapie regulations apply to your operation whether you run a small hobby flock or a large commercial herd. Scrapie is a fatal, untreatable disease, and the rules surrounding its eradication touch nearly every aspect of how you identify, move, and manage your animals.

Understanding your obligations under the National Scrapie Eradication Program is not just about compliance — it protects your animals, your neighbors' flocks, and […]

# summaryMap.en
If you raise sheep or goats in Louisiana, federal and state scrapie regulations apply to your operation whether you run a small hobby flock or a large commercial herd. Scrapie is a fatal, untreatable disease, and the rules surrounding its eradication touch nearly every aspect of how you identify, move, and manage your animals.

Understanding your obligations under the National Scrapie Eradication Program is not just about compliance — it protects your animals, your neighbors' flocks, and […]