Alabama Scrapie Eradication Program: What Every Sheep and Goat Producer Needs to Know
July 18, 2026
If you raise sheep or goats in Alabama, the Scrapie Eradication Program is not optional — it applies to every producer in the state, regardless of flock size. Understanding your obligations under this federal and state cooperative program is the first step toward staying compliant, protecting your animals, and keeping Alabama’s livestock industry moving forward.
This guide walks you through each component of the program, from official identification requirements and flock registration to movement rules, testing protocols, quarantine procedures, and the voluntary Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP). Whether you are a first-time producer or a seasoned shepherd, these rules directly affect how you buy, sell, and transport your animals.
What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Alabama
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It belongs to the same class of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and chronic wasting disease in elk and deer. There is no cure or treatment for scrapie. That combination — fatal, incurable, and contagious — is exactly why federal and state authorities treat it as a regulated disease requiring mandatory controls.
Scrapie is difficult to detect. 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 clinical signs. Apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it, which makes traceability through official identification essential.
Disease transmission occurs primarily from an infected female to her offspring and other lambs or kids exposed to the birth fluids, placenta, or bedding soiled by birth fluids. Male sheep and goats can contract scrapie but cannot spread the disease.
The presence of scrapie in the United States also prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries. The U.S. sheep and goat industry continues to experience export losses and increased production and disposal costs because the United States is not yet free of scrapie. For Alabama producers, compliance is not just a regulatory checkbox — it directly affects the marketability and value of your animals.
Alabama’s Role in the National Scrapie Eradication Program
The National Scrapie Eradication Program, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is a mandatory program that began in 2001 and requires participation by all sheep and goat producers. Alabama participates as a cooperative partner in this federal-state effort, with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) serving as the state-level enforcement and coordination authority.
The National Scrapie Eradication Program has reduced the prevalence of scrapie in adult sheep sampled at slaughter by over 99 percent. To date, the program has eliminated scrapie in 99 percent of U.S. sheep and goats. The program is now conducting targeted sampling of subpopulations that have a higher prevalence of scrapie than the general sheep and goat population to find the remaining cases.
Alabama has, in cooperation with APHIS personnel, drafted and signed a memorandum of understanding between APHIS and the State that delineates the respective roles of each in the National Scrapie Program implementation. This formal agreement means Alabama must meet specific program standards to qualify as a “Consistent State,” which in turn affects the movement privileges available to producers shipping animals across state lines.
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.
Official Animal Identification Requirements in Alabama
The program requires sheep and goats to be officially identified prior to various types of movements in-state and out-of-state. In Alabama, the specific trigger for required identification is a change of ownership. In Alabama, sheep and goats must be identified prior to a change of ownership. All sheep and goats must be officially identified before a change of ownership by any method.
There is one exemption: Alabama sheep and goats moving from the farm directly to an in-state livestock market or slaughter establishment do not require prior identification. However, this exemption is narrow. Once animals enter a livestock market, additional rules apply.
Accepted Forms of Official Identification
You have several options for meeting the official ID requirement. Each has specific conditions attached:
- Official eartags: Flock ID tag numbers consist of the producer’s flock ID assigned by APHIS or the State, followed by an individual animal number. Tags may be plastic, metal, or RFID. A national premises ID is required to purchase official 840 RFID tags or implantable devices.
- Registry tattoos: 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 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.
- APHIS flock ID tattoo: The flock identification number assigned by APHIS may be tattooed, along with an individual animal number, to officially identify sheep or goats that are not registered.
Goats registered with one of USDA’s approved breed registries do not require tags if they are not moving through a concentration point such as a livestock market, or moving in slaughter channels. Registered goats will need to have a legible registry tattoo and be accompanied by their registry certificate.
How to Obtain Official Tags
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. Tags are from Shearwell Data USA, but the tag applicator must be purchased directly from Shearwell. After the initial order of free tags, you will be responsible for purchasing any additional tags needed from USDA-approved tag manufacturers.
To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock or premises ID, or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824). You can also email the Alabama scrapie program at [email protected] or contact the ADAI Animal Industries office in Montgomery.
Sheep and goats in your possession or that you might purchase that already have USDA-approved tags do not need to be re-tagged.
Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Alabama
Before you can obtain official tags or move animals under the program, your flock must be registered with a USDA-assigned flock or premises ID. When you request tags, your flock or herd will be assigned an Alabama Flock/Herd ID number (AL number) that will be printed on the tags. This number is the foundation of the traceability system — it links every tagged animal back to your premises.
What Records You Must Keep
Records of tags or other official identification applied, sales, and acquisitions must be kept for 5 years. This is a federal requirement that applies to all producers participating in the program, regardless of flock size.
Your records should capture the following events and details:
- When you apply official ID: the flock ID of the flock of origin and the name and address of the person applying the ID
- Dates of sale or purchase and names of buyer and seller are vital information. When you sell an animal, you should keep a written record of the ear tag number along with the buyer information.
- For animals leaving your premises: the disposition of the animal, including any identifying marks or identification devices present, and the date and cause of death if applicable
Please remember to keep written records of ear tags on all sheep and goats you sell or purchase. This could be very important if any animal you buy or sell is involved in a scrapie traceback investigation. The official ID on an animal is what allows APHIS and state officials to trace a positive test result back to the flock of origin — and to identify other animals that may have been exposed.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Alabama
Movement rules differ depending on whether animals are staying within Alabama or crossing state lines. Both scenarios carry specific identification and documentation requirements, and failure to comply can result in animals being turned back or the imposition of movement restrictions on your entire flock.
Intrastate Movement (Within Alabama)
| Movement Type | ID Required? | Additional Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Change of ownership (any method) | Yes — official ID required | Owner/Hauler Statement (OHS) recommended |
| Farm directly to in-state livestock market or slaughter | Exempt — no prior ID required | Market must collect ID info on arrival |
| Through a livestock market (in-state animals) | Yes — visual eartag required | OHS required if arriving without official ID |
All sheep and goats arriving at a livestock market without official ID must provide information required for the owner/hauler statement to the livestock market. The market then takes responsibility for applying official ID before the animals move further.
Interstate Movement (Out of Alabama)
All sheep and goats moving out of state must be officially identified. You should check the destination state’s requirements, as some states require an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or an owner/hauler statement.
Out-of-state sheep and goats, with or without official identification, must move on an owner/hauler statement or ICVI. The ICVI must be issued by an accredited veterinarian and includes the official ID numbers of the animals being transported.
The Owner/Hauler Statement (OHS)
An owner/hauler statement is a signed written statement that includes the owner’s information, hauler’s information (if different from owner), date animals moved, flock identification or premises ID number, animal information (number of animals, species and breed), point of origin name and address, and destination. Alabama’s ADAI provides an official OHS form for sheep and goats that you can download or request from their office.
Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Alabama
Detecting and containing scrapie depends on producers reporting suspect animals promptly. Alabama has the authority, based on state law or regulation, to require the reporting of any animal suspected of having scrapie and test results for any animals tested for scrapie to state or federal animal health authorities.
When and How to Report
If you have an adult sheep or goat exhibiting signs of scrapie — such as incoordination, severe continuous rubbing, or other neurologic signs — or an adult animal dies, is euthanized, or is being culled, contact your local state or USDA APHIS Veterinary Services veterinarian, or call 866-536-7593 right away.
Clinical signs that should prompt a report include:
- Incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)
- Weakness, stumbling, falling down, or difficulty rising
- Severe, continuous rubbing against fences or other objects
- Unusual behavioral changes or apparent neurological disturbance
There is no charge for the collection or testing of samples for scrapie. APHIS will pay for scrapie testing of up to 30 animals per flock per year. Producers, accredited veterinarians, APHIS representatives, and state animal health employees may collect and submit samples. APHIS provides shipping boxes and pre-printed, postage-paid labels at no cost to producers and accredited veterinarians.
Quarantine and Flock Designations
When a positive test result is confirmed, a designated scrapie epidemiologist (DSE) will investigate and assign a formal flock status. Based on a classification investigation, including testing of animals if needed, a DSE will designate a flock as an exposed flock, infected flock, source flock, flock under investigation, or noncompliant flock, or designate an animal as scrapie-positive, high-risk, exposed, or suspect, after determining that the flock or animal meets the relevant criteria.
Alabama places all known scrapie-infected and source flocks under movement restrictions, with movement of animals permitted only to slaughter, to feedlots under permit and movement restrictions that ensure later movement to slaughter, for destruction, or for research. Scrapie-positive and suspect animals may be moved only for transport to an approved research facility or for purposes of destruction.
As soon as possible after making a designation or redesignation determination, a state or APHIS representative will attempt to notify the owner of the flock or animal in writing of the designation. The owner of an animal may appeal the designation of an animal as a scrapie-positive, high-risk, or exposed animal. The owner of a flock may appeal the designation of the flock as an exposed flock, infected flock, source flock, flock under investigation, or noncompliant flock. To do so, the owner must appeal in writing to the Administrator within 10 days after being informed of the reasons for the proposed action.
Indemnity for Affected Producers
An indemnity program is in place to compensate owners for the financial loss that may result from live animals that have to be destroyed due to scrapie infection or exposure. As of November 1, 2021, the section of the Program Standards 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.
You can contact the ADAI Animal Industries office at 334-240-7215 or reach the APHIS Veterinary Services office at 615-864-5062 for current indemnity information specific to your situation.
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Alabama
The Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program is a voluntary program available for producers. The SFCP provides sheep and goat producers the opportunity to increase the marketability of their animals through demonstrating scrapie freedom in their flock or herd. While participation is not required, enrollment signals to buyers that your animals come from a verified low-risk operation.
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 Options | Primary Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Export | Export Monitored, Export Certified | Certify flocks as scrapie-free for international trade eligibility |
| Select | Select Monitored | Demonstrate reduced scrapie risk for domestic marketing purposes |
The Export category objective 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.
How the SFCP Supports Surveillance
The SFCP also contributes to APHIS’ scrapie surveillance strategy by testing sheep and goats from flocks and herds that otherwise might not be sampled through traditional slaughter surveillance. This is particularly important as the program moves closer to its goal of national disease freedom.
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.
How to Enroll in the SFCP in Alabama
To enroll in the SFCP, contact the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Animal Industries office at 334-240-7215 or the APHIS Veterinary Services office at 615-864-5062. You can also reach APHIS directly through the USDA APHIS Scrapie Program page or by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824). Before enrolling, make sure your flock already has an assigned flock or premises ID and that your recordkeeping is current — both are prerequisites for program participation.
Alabama’s sheep and goat producers play a direct role in whether the United States achieves national scrapie-free status. Staying compliant with identification, recordkeeping, movement, and reporting requirements is not only a legal obligation — it protects the long-term value of your herd and the broader livestock economy across the state. For additional reading on Alabama’s diverse animal life, explore resources on venomous animals in Alabama or browse other wildlife topics at types of snakes in Alabama.