South Carolina Scrapie Eradication Program: What Sheep and Goat Producers Need to Know
July 30, 2026
Scrapie is one of the most persistent animal diseases facing sheep and goat producers in the United States, and South Carolina producers are not exempt from the regulatory framework built around eliminating it. If you raise sheep or goats in the Palmetto State — whether as a hobby farmer, commercial producer, or registered breeder — understanding the rules that govern identification, movement, recordkeeping, and disease reporting is essential to staying compliant and protecting your flock.
This guide walks you through every key component of the Scrapie Eradication Program as it applies to South Carolina producers, from the basics of what scrapie is to the voluntary certification program that can improve your animals’ marketability.
What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in South Carolina
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and current diagnostic tests require brain or lymphoid tissue. That long incubation window makes scrapie especially dangerous — animals that appear perfectly healthy can still be spreading the disease agent within your flock.
Most animals are infected as young lambs or kids, but adult animals can get it too, and apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it. Animals typically live 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. There is no cure or treatment available.
In the United States, scrapie has primarily been reported in black-face meat breeds and their crosses. Common clinical signs include incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia), weakness, stumbling, falling down, difficulty rising, and severe continuous rubbing. If you observe any of these signs in adult animals, regulatory reporting obligations are triggered — a topic covered in detail later in this guide.
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. South Carolina producers are subject to these federal rules because eradication requires a nationwide, coordinated approach — and every state’s compliance matters.
South Carolina’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. South Carolina participates in this program through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and in coordination with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (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). As a South Carolina producer, you are subject to the mandatory regulatory requirements of ASEP and may optionally enroll in the SFCP.
Since 2002, the prevalence of scrapie has decreased significantly through existing eradication efforts, largely 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 that progress, the work is not finished.
While the current program has been very successful in drastically reducing the amount of scrapie in the U.S., APHIS is still finding scrapie-positive animals. The most recent two cases found in the U.S. were sampled at slaughter — a sheep tested in Wisconsin in 2021, and a goat in Indiana in 2019. 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. South Carolina producers play a direct role in achieving that goal through surveillance participation.
The SCDA works with a Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist (DSE) assigned to South Carolina by APHIS. The DSE coordinates investigations, flock designations, and cleanup plans when positive animals are detected. You can find contact information for the DSE assigned to South Carolina through the USDA APHIS Scrapie program page.
Official Animal Identification Requirements in South Carolina
Official identification (ID) is the backbone of the scrapie eradication effort. Without it, tracing an infected animal back to its flock of origin — and identifying all exposed animals — becomes impossible. As a South Carolina sheep or goat producer, you must understand exactly when official ID is required and what forms are accepted.
When Official ID Is Required
All sheep and goats must have official ID when moving off their premises of origin. This requirement applies whether you are selling, trading, transporting to a show, or moving animals to another property you own. Some states have ID 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.
All sheep and goats must have official ID when moving off their premises of origin, except sheep or goats moving with a group ID and owner/hauler statement. This includes sexually intact sheep and goats under 18 months of age in slaughter channels, and 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 the animals in a section of a truck are from the same flock of origin.
Accepted Forms of Official ID
Many of the specific requirements regarding official eartags and official ID methods such as tattoos and implantable electronic ID (microchips) were moved to the Scrapie Program Standards, Volume 1: National Scrapie Eradication Program. Approved identification methods for South Carolina producers include:
- Official plastic eartags — Flock ID tags bearing your APHIS- or state-assigned flock ID number followed by an individual animal number
- Official metal eartags — Metal serial tag numbers have the state postal abbreviation, two letters followed by four numbers
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags — Electronic tags that can be scanned; a national premises ID is required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices
- Registry tattoos — 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
- Implantable electronic devices (microchips) — Subject to restrictions; refer to the NSEP Program Standards for details
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.
How to Obtain Official Tags in South Carolina
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 will need to purchase the compatible applicator from the tag manufacturer.
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.
Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in South Carolina
Proper recordkeeping is not optional — it is a federal requirement under the National Scrapie Eradication Program. Your records create the paper trail that makes traceback possible when a scrapie case is detected anywhere in the country.
Flock and Premises Identification Numbers
Before you can obtain official ID tags or participate in the program, your operation must be registered. A flock identification (ID) number is a nationally unique number assigned by a state, federally recognized Tribal, or Federal animal health authority to a group of animals that are managed as a unit on one or more premises and are under the same ownership.
The flock ID number must begin with the state postal abbreviation or APHIS-assigned Tribal code, must have no more than nine alphanumeric characters, and must not contain the characters “I,” “O,” or “Q” other than as part of the state postal abbreviation or another standardized format authorized by the administrator and recorded in the National Scrapie Database. For South Carolina producers, your flock ID will begin with “SC.”
The flock ID number must be recorded in and linked to one or more premises identification numbers (PINs) or location IDs (LIDs) in the National Scrapie Database. Flock IDs may be used with an animal number unique within the flock to provide a unique official identification number for an animal, or may be used with the date and a sequence number to provide a Group/lot identification number (GIN) for a group of animals when group identification is permitted.
What Records You Must Keep
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. At a minimum, your records should document:
- The official ID numbers of all animals that enter or leave your premises
- The date each animal was identified and the tag number applied
- The source of incoming animals (flock of origin) and destination of outgoing animals
- Bills of sale, transfer documents, and any Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs)
- Results of any official scrapie or genotype tests conducted on your animals
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.
South Carolina producers raising sheep can also learn more about animal care and wildlife interactions in the state. For example, understanding local wildlife such as types of snakes in South Carolina or types of bats in South Carolina can be helpful when assessing biosecurity risks on your property.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in South Carolina
Movement rules are among the most consequential compliance areas for South Carolina producers. Whether you are buying animals from out of state, selling to buyers in other states, or moving animals within South Carolina itself, specific rules apply.
Interstate Movement Requirements
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. All animals moving between states must be officially identified before they leave their premises of origin.
For most interstate movements, you will also need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), sometimes called a health certificate. 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 the regulations.
When requested by the producer, accredited veterinarians can apply official eartags, collect and submit samples for official genotype testing and scrapie testing on obex, lymph node, third-eyelid lymphoid tissue, or rectal lymphoid tissue, and issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement.
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 even within South Carolina, if ownership of your animals changes hands, official ID must be in place. Contact the SCDA or the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge for South Carolina to confirm the current intrastate movement rules that apply to your specific situation.
Movement of High-Risk and Restricted Animals
Animals designated as high-risk, exposed, or from an infected or source flock face additional movement restrictions under 9 CFR Part 79. Genetic testing is used to identify genetically resistant or less susceptible sheep for exemption from destruction and as qualifying for interstate movement. If your flock has been placed under a flock plan or quarantine, movement of any animal off your premises requires prior approval from your state or APHIS representative.
| Animal Category | Official ID Required? | CVI Required for Interstate? | Movement Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breeding sheep and goats (all ages) | Yes | Yes | Standard requirements apply |
| Sheep/goats going directly to slaughter | Group ID may apply | Varies by state | Limited exceptions available |
| High-risk or exposed animals | Yes | Yes | Prior APHIS/State approval required |
| Genetically resistant sheep (RR at codon 171) | Yes | Yes | Reduced movement restrictions may apply |
| Animals from infected/source flocks | Yes | Yes | Strict movement controls; flock plan required |
South Carolina’s diverse agricultural landscape also supports a wide range of wildlife. Producers interested in local ecology can explore resources on types of hawks in South Carolina and types of owls in South Carolina, which are common predators in rural farming areas.
Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in South Carolina
Timely reporting and sample submission are among the most important — and most underutilized — tools in the scrapie eradication effort. As a South Carolina producer, you have both regulatory obligations and practical incentives to participate in surveillance.
When You Must Report
If you have an adult sheep or goat that is exhibiting neurological signs consistent with scrapie, you are required to report it. Contact your State Veterinarian or the USDA Veterinary Services Office for your state if your sheep or goat, older than 12 months, exhibits clinical signs of scrapie. Signs to watch for include incoordination, severe continuous rubbing, stumbling, and other neurological symptoms.
APHIS may pay indemnity for adult sheep or goats with neurological or other signs that are determined to be consistent with scrapie. Alternatively, an APHIS veterinarian could provide live animal scrapie testing for these animals. Reporting suspected cases is not just a legal obligation — it may also result in financial compensation if your animals are destroyed as part of a cleanup plan.
On-Farm Sample Submission
Beyond reporting clinical suspects, APHIS strongly encourages producers to submit samples from mature animals that die on-farm. Your submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on your farm is extremely important.
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. Producers may remove and submit whole heads or report deceased sheep or goats and ask for help with submitting samples.
Official Diagnostic Tests
The official test currently used for scrapie diagnosis in the United States is immunohistochemistry. Histopathology, Western Blot, and ELISA may be used as supplemental tests or when tissues are not suitable for immunohistochemistry.
Immunohistochemistry, Western Blot, and ELISA can be used to detect the abnormal prion protein in brain or lymphoid tissues. Third-eyelid and rectal lymphoid tissue biopsy are APHIS-approved tests for scrapie detection in live animals. Live-animal testing is particularly useful when you need to assess the status of a valuable breeding animal before making disposition decisions.
Quarantine and Flock Plans
If a scrapie-positive animal is traced to your South Carolina flock, APHIS and the SCDA will work with you to develop a flock plan. A flock plan is a written flock management agreement signed by the owner of a flock, the accredited veterinarian if one is employed by the owner, and a State or APHIS representative in which each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the flock plan to control the spread of scrapie from, and eradicate scrapie in, an infected flock or source flock.
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.
You can contact the federal scrapie regulations under 9 CFR Part 79 for the full legal text governing quarantine and flock designations. For South Carolina-specific contacts, reach out to the SCDA State Veterinarian’s office or the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge.
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in South Carolina
Beyond mandatory compliance, South Carolina producers have the opportunity to voluntarily enroll in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP). This program offers significant marketing advantages and contributes to the national eradication effort.
What the SFCP Is
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 National Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program increases the marketability of sheep and goats from flocks that have demonstrated freedom of scrapie disease by adhering to program requirements over time. Buyers — especially those seeking animals for export or high-value breeding stock — increasingly look for SFCP certification as a baseline assurance of flock health status.
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).
| SFCP Category | Status Options | Primary Purpose | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export | Export Monitored / Export Certified | International trade eligibility | Annual inspections, strict acquisition limits, animal sampling |
| Select | Select Monitored | Domestic marketing advantage | Ongoing monitoring and ID compliance |
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.
SFCP-Specific Tag Requirements
SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. Regular program tags may be purchased by any producer who has a flock or premises ID. If you enroll in the SFCP, you will use distinct tags that signal your flock’s certification status to buyers and regulators alike.
How to Enroll in South Carolina
To enroll your South Carolina flock in the SFCP, contact the APHIS Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist (DSE) for your state or the SCDA State Veterinarian’s office. You can also reach the national program by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824) or emailing scrapie@usda.gov. Enrollment requires that your flock already has an assigned flock ID and that you are current on all mandatory identification and recordkeeping requirements.
Staying informed about South Carolina’s agricultural and natural environment helps you maintain a healthy, compliant operation. Producers may also find it useful to familiarize themselves with local wildlife that interact with livestock environments, such as types of frogs in South Carolina, types of salamanders in South Carolina, and other species that share the landscape with your flock.
For the most current South Carolina-specific requirements, always confirm details with the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s office, as program standards and state-level rules are subject to revision. The APHIS NVAP Reference Guide on Scrapie is also a reliable resource for veterinarians and producers seeking detailed technical guidance on control and eradication procedures.