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

If you raise sheep or goats in Alaska, federal and state regulations require you to actively participate in the National Scrapie Eradication Program — and understanding exactly what that means for your operation can save you from costly compliance mistakes.

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats, classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The rules governing identification, movement, recordkeeping, and reporting are not optional. Whether you run a small hobby flock or a commercial operation, this guide walks you through every layer of Alaska’s scrapie eradication obligations so you stay compliant and protect your animals.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Alaska

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 only 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. That long, silent incubation window is precisely why federal and state regulators treat the disease so seriously.

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative neurologic disease that affects sheep and goats. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy — a prion disease. Prions are thought to be the causative agent but are still little understood. Unlike bacterial or viral diseases, prions cannot be eliminated through standard disinfection protocols, making prevention and traceability the primary lines of defense.

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. This means an animal showing no outward symptoms can silently introduce scrapie into your flock.

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. Alaska producers are part of this national effort, and compliance at the state level directly contributes to the goal of U.S. scrapie freedom.

Alaska’s animal health landscape includes unique geographic challenges — particularly around interstate movement — that make proper scrapie compliance especially important for producers importing or exporting breeding stock.

Alaska’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. Alaska participates as a full partner in this program, meaning the Alaska Division of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, works alongside USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enforce identification, movement, and surveillance requirements.

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 an Alaska producer, you are subject to the mandatory ASEP requirements and may voluntarily enroll in the SFCP to enhance the marketability of your animals.

The National Scrapie Eradication Program, coordinated by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has reduced the prevalence of scrapie in adult sheep sampled at slaughter by over 99 percent. Despite this progress, it is likely there are still farms with cases of scrapie. One of the most difficult aspects of an eradication program is finding the last few cases of the disease.

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. Alaska’s participation in surveillance, identification, and reporting is essential to reaching that benchmark nationally. A special USDA provision also exists specifically for Alaska: the APHIS program includes guidance for transiting sheep and goats from the U.S. through Canada to Alaska, acknowledging the state’s unique geographic position.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Alaska

Animals 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. You should always verify Alaska-specific requirements directly with the Alaska State Veterinarian’s office, as state rules may exceed the federal baseline.

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, with limited exceptions outlined below.

Accepted Forms of Official Identification

Many of the specific requirements regarding official eartags and official ID methods such as tattoos and implantable electronic ID (microchips) are detailed in the Scrapie Program Standards, Volume 1: National Scrapie Eradication Program. The following forms of official ID are recognized under the program:

• Official plastic flock ID eartags — the most common method; numbered with the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the state, followed by an individual animal number
• Official metal serial eartags — numbered with the state postal abbreviation plus two letters and four numbers
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags — electronic tags that can be scanned for rapid data access; 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.
• Implantable electronic devices (microchips) — subject to use restrictions; there are restrictions on the use of implantable devices; refer to the National Scrapie Eradication Program Standards for details.
• 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.

How to Obtain Official Tags in Alaska

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

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. No-cost metal tags for producers were discontinued on August 31, 2019. If you need additional tags or prefer a specific type, producers and others who handle sheep or goats in commerce 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.

Animals Exempt from the ID Requirement

Not every animal must carry official ID at all times. Federal exemptions include:

• Castrated sheep or goats under 18 months of age
• Sheep and goats under 18 months of age moving directly in slaughter channels, accompanied by an owner/hauler statement
• 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 owner — provided those premises are recorded in the National Scrapie Database as additional flock premises and commingling does not occur with unidentified animals born in another flock.

Alaska may impose stricter rules than these federal minimums. Always confirm with the Alaska State Veterinarian’s office before assuming a federal exemption applies in your state.

Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Alaska

Before you can obtain official ID tags, you must register your flock and obtain a flock or premises identification number. The program requires each individual producer to contact USDA to request a producer identification number that is unique to their farm. This number forms the basis of all official identification applied to your animals.

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 core compliance requirement of the NSEP and are essential for disease traceback if a positive case is ever identified.

What Your Records Must Include

Under 9 CFR Part 79 and the NSEP Program Standards, your recordkeeping system should capture the following for each animal:

• The official ID number applied to the animal
• The animal’s flock of birth and current premises
• The seller’s premises identification number for all purchased animals
• Movement records showing when animals entered or left your flock
• The purpose of each movement (sale, slaughter, exhibition, breeding, etc.)

Because 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. This documentation is what allows APHIS and state officials to trace an infected animal back through the chain of ownership when a positive case surfaces — sometimes years after the initial exposure.

Alaska producers who raise other animals alongside their sheep and goats may find it useful to understand how the state handles other regulated species. For example, Alaska has specific backyard chicken laws and livestock and pet regulations that reflect the state’s broader approach to animal oversight.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Alaska

Alaska’s geographic isolation makes movement rules especially important. Whether you are importing breeding stock from the lower 48 states, shipping animals through Canada, or moving animals within the state, specific requirements apply at each stage.

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. For most breeding animals entering or leaving Alaska, official ID and an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) are required.

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. This certificate must accompany your animals and must be issued at the point of origin before movement begins.

When requested by the producer, accredited veterinarians can apply official eartags, collect and submit samples for official genotype testing, and issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement. Your accredited veterinarian is a critical partner in ensuring your animals are properly documented before they travel.

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. In Alaska, this means that even movements within the state that involve a change of ownership generally require official ID. Maintaining proper intrastate identification is what keeps your animals eligible for future interstate commerce.

Sheep or goats moving within a state that have only resided on premises and in flocks in the same state, where the animals and premises are owned by persons who do not engage in the interstate commerce of sheep or goats, and where the sheep or goats are of a class exempted from official ID by the state while in intrastate commerce, may qualify for an intrastate exemption — but this is state-determined, and Alaska’s rules may be stricter than the federal baseline.

Movement of Restricted Animals

If your animals are classified as exposed, high-risk, suspect, or from an infected or source flock, movement is subject to additional restrictions. A permit is required for interstate movement of restricted animals. A new permit is required for each change in destination. The permit lists the owner’s name and address, points of origin and destination, number of animals covered, purpose of the movement, whether the animals are from an exposed or infected flock, and the transportation vehicle identification number.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Alaska

Surveillance is the engine that drives scrapie eradication. As an Alaska sheep or goat producer, you have active reporting and testing obligations that go beyond simply tagging your animals.

When You Must Report

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.

Clinical signs of scrapie you should watch for include:

• Incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)
• Weakness, stumbling, falling, or difficulty rising
• Severe, persistent rubbing or scratching against fences and structures
• Weight loss despite normal appetite
• Changes in behavior or temperament
• Wool loss or skin damage from rubbing

Your submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on your farm is extremely important. There is no charge for the collection or testing of the samples for scrapie. APHIS provides shipping materials and covers testing costs to remove any financial barrier to reporting.

Sampling Goals and On-Farm Submission

The annual sampling goal set for the U.S. is 40,000 samples collected from sheep and goats 18 months of age or older to help find the final cases of scrapie and stamp out this disease. Alaska producers contribute to this national surveillance target. 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.

APHIS provides shipping boxes and pre-printed, postage-paid labels at no cost to producers and accredited veterinarians. This means the primary barrier to participation is simply awareness — once you know the process, submitting samples is straightforward.

Quarantine and Flock Investigations

When APHIS or the Alaska State Veterinarian determines that a scrapie suspect, high-risk, or positive animal resides or may have resided in your flock, your operation becomes a flock under investigation. A flock plan is a written flock management agreement signed by the owner, the accredited veterinarian (if employed by the owner), and a State or APHIS representative, in which each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the plan to control the spread of scrapie or eradicate it from an infected flock. As part of a flock plan, the flock owner must provide the facilities and personnel needed to carry out its requirements.

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. Effective traceback depends on the identification and recordkeeping infrastructure you maintain every day, not just when a problem arises.

Understanding Alaska’s broader framework for animal regulation can provide helpful context. The state also maintains specific rules around exotic and non-traditional animal ownership, hedgehog ownership laws, and wildlife handling regulations that reflect its distinctive regulatory environment.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Alaska

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. Alaska producers who enroll gain a recognized certification that can open export markets and command premium prices for breeding stock.

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.

Select Category Requirements

There are no inspections in the Select category, although an in-person orientation is offered upon enrollment. Participants agree to sample at least one mature animal every one to three years, depending on flock size. APHIS monitors compliance with the sampling requirement through a national sampling database and publishes the date on which the last animal was sampled on its public website.

Export Category Requirements

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.

Ewes and does are known to transmit scrapie. Therefore, to maintain scrapie-free status, flock owners may not obtain ewes or does from nonparticipating flocks or from flocks with lower status. Flock owners who do not comply with this requirement will have their flock’s status date adjusted to reflect the addition of the lowest-category animal.

Animals from Export Certified flocks meet the World Organization for Animal Health’s standards to be recognized as free of disease. In order to achieve Export Certified status, a flock must gain a minimum of seven years in status and sample 30 mature animals. This sampling minimum may be achieved through slaughter, necropsy, and live-animal testing.

How to Enroll in the SFCP in Alaska

The State Scrapie Flock Certification Board (or its representative) reviews applications and approves admissions to the program. Sheep or goat producers applying for the Select category are only required to submit the application for enrollment using VS Form 5-22. Sheep and goat producers applying for the Export category are required to submit a complete application package.

To begin enrollment, contact the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program at scrapie@usda.gov or call 866-536-7593. Your APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge for Alaska can provide state-specific enrollment guidance and connect you with the designated scrapie epidemiologist for your region.

Alaska’s sheep and goat producers operate in one of the most distinctive agricultural environments in the country. If you are interested in other aspects of Alaska’s animal regulations and wildlife, you may also find resources on native bee species in Alaska, the Interior Alaskan wolf, and Alaskan Husky breeds useful for understanding the broader ecological context in which your livestock operation exists.

Staying current with Alaska’s scrapie eradication obligations means keeping your flock ID active, tagging animals before they leave your premises, submitting samples from deceased animals, and reporting any clinical signs promptly. Without producer cooperation, the U.S. cannot declare itself free of scrapie, costing the sheep and goat industries approximately $10 to $20 million annually. Your participation in Alaska is not just a regulatory requirement — it is a direct investment in the long-term viability of the entire U.S. sheep and goat industry.