Indiana Scrapie Eradication Program: Rules Every Sheep and Goat Producer Must Know

If you raise sheep or goats in Indiana, the Scrapie Eradication Program is not optional — it shapes how you identify your animals, move them across state lines, keep your records, and respond when disease is suspected. Getting these rules wrong can result in fines, restricted movement, or a quarantined flock.

This guide walks you through every layer of Indiana’s scrapie regulations, from the basics of the disease itself to the voluntary certification program that can increase the marketability of your animals. Whether you manage a small hobby flock or a large commercial operation, understanding these requirements protects your animals, your business, and Indiana’s broader livestock industry.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Indiana

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. The name “scrapie” was derived from the characteristic scraping infected animals do to relieve itching. However, the disease is far more serious than that single symptom suggests.

Scrapie is a slowly developing disease that takes several years to cause clinical signs after an animal is infected. Clinical signs include scratching and rubbing, loss of coordination, weight loss, biting of feet and legs, changes in behavior or temperament, head-pressing, lip smacking, and gait abnormalities including high-stepping of the forelegs, “bunny-hopping,” and swaying of the rear end.

The primary route of scrapie transmission occurs when susceptible animals are exposed to and ingest placenta and/or birth fluids of a scrapie-infected ewe or doe at lambing or kidding, or after an abortion. Infection most commonly occurs when the susceptible animal is young.

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. The presence of scrapie in the United States also prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries.

There are two types of scrapie: classical and nonclassical. Nonclassical scrapie is also referred to as atypical, Nor98, or Nor98-like scrapie. Nonclassical scrapie appears to occur sporadically and has occurred in sheep of all the common genotypes and goats. It is either not transmissible or poorly transmissible under natural conditions. Given this, the scrapie eradication program focuses on classical scrapie.

Indiana sheep and goat producers raising animals alongside Indiana’s diverse wildlife should be aware that scrapie is not a zoonotic disease — it has not been shown to cause disease in humans — but its economic consequences for the livestock industry are severe enough to warrant strict state and federal regulation.

Indiana’s Role in the National Scrapie Eradication Program

The National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) is a cooperative State-Federal-industry program working to eradicate classical scrapie from the United States and meet World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) criteria for disease freedom. Indiana participates in this program as a “Consistent State,” meaning it enforces standards that align with the federal framework.

In 2001, at the urging of the sheep and goat industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a mandatory federal identification program to establish a tracking system for the movements of these animals. This system provides a means to trace the spread of scrapie from site to site. The specifics of how the federal program is administered vary from state to state, such as which forms of identification are acceptable.

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).

The National Scrapie Eradication Program, coordinated by the 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. Following changes in eradication efforts that focused on surveillance, genetic resistance, and traceability, the U.S. has come within reach of eradicating the disease entirely. In order to ensure that goal is achieved, it is essential that federal spending on scrapie eradication be maintained.

APHIS published a final rule in the Federal Register in 2019 updating scrapie program regulations under 9 CFR 79. The rule established a more flexible approach to disease investigations and affected flock management, and more consistent animal identification and recordkeeping requirements for sheep and goats. The rule also moved specific requirements for official eartags, official identification methods such as tattoos and implantable electronic ID, and indemnity calculations to the NSEP Standards.

You can contact the Indiana State Board of Animal Health directly at BOAH’s scrapie information page or by emailing [email protected] for program-specific guidance. For broader context on Indiana’s animal-related regulations, see the state’s hunting laws in Indiana and fishing license requirements, which reflect a similar framework of state-administered, federally aligned animal oversight.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Indiana

By Indiana law, all sheep and goats are required to have official eartags or identification before they leave the farm. The only exception is wethers younger than 18 months of age. The producer is responsible for ensuring that sheep and goats are officially identified before leaving the farm.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health recognizes three official forms of identification for sheep and goats, all of which are approved by the USDA for interstate livestock movements. These three accepted forms are:

• Scrapie Program Flock Tags — Official USDA scrapie tags including the US shield, the Scrapie Flock ID, and a unique individual ID. They may or may not be an RFID (radio frequency device).
• Electronic Implant (Microchip) — Electronic identification via microchip implant is allowed for breed-registered animals only. The microchip number must be noted on the animal’s registration paperwork and the certificate of veterinary inspection. The animals must be accompanied by the registration paperwork. Producers are cautioned that this rule only applies in Indiana and may not be allowed in other states.
• Tattoo — Must be accompanied by registration papers with the number noted, or must include the entire scrapie flock ID beginning with the “IN” prefix along with a unique individual animal ID number. For tattoos to be acceptable as official ID, they must be legible and the tattoo must be registered with BOAH.

The interstate identification rule is a federal requirement, and official identification cannot be legally removed. Scrapie Program Flock tags include the flock ID and individual production number. The flock ID number is the number that must appear on producers’ tags and/or tattoos and records and paperwork, including certificates of veterinary inspection. BOAH will provide and approve the Flock ID number for each site. In most cases, this number includes the state postal code and county number. All of these tags will have the USDA shield present.

The USDA discontinued the distribution of free metal Scrapie flock ID tags to producers on August 31, 2019. However, under the National Scrapie Eradication Program, first-time participants in the sheep and goat identification program may still receive up to 100 plastic flock ID tags at no cost, while funding remains available. Producers must now purchase the appropriate tag applicator directly from the tag manufacturer.

Because applying eartags is labor intensive and time consuming for livestock auctions and dealers, producers may be charged a fee for the service if animals go to market without official ID. Tag your animals before they leave your property to avoid this cost.

You can learn more about approved tag manufacturers and ordering procedures at the USDA APHIS scrapie tag resource page.

Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Indiana

Before you can obtain official scrapie identification tags, you must have a registered flock. BOAH requires premises registration of all sites associated with the sale, purchase, and/or exhibition of sheep and goats. In Indiana, the Federal Identification Program applies to all sheep and goats, regardless of breed. The Premises Identification and the Flock Identification must be under the adult member of the family’s name.

To get your flock registered and obtain your Flock ID number, contact BOAH directly. To purchase official tags, you will need to provide your Federal Premises Identification number (PIN), your Scrapie flock ID number, and tag sequence to the tag supplier.

Recordkeeping is equally important and legally required. 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.

Your records should include the following categories of information:

• Individual tag or tattoo numbers for all animals acquired or sold
• Dates of purchase or sale and names of buyer and seller
• The seller’s premises identification number on purchase records
• Records of any animals that died on the premises
• Documentation of official ID replacements, including cross-referencing of new and old tag numbers

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. This information becomes critical if any animal you buy or sell is later linked to a scrapie traceback investigation.

Any person or organization, including a veterinarian, that distributes official animal identification devices is required to keep a record for five years of the device identification number as well as the name and address of the device recipient. These records must be kept in a readily accessible record system and/or entered into a database approved by the USDA.

For guidance on what a compliant records spreadsheet looks like, BOAH provides an example format on its Traceability and Premise ID page. Producers may keep records however works best for them as long as the required information is recorded.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Indiana

Movement rules for sheep and goats in Indiana operate on two levels: intrastate (within Indiana) and interstate (crossing state lines). Both are regulated, and the requirements differ depending on the direction of movement and the type of animal.

Animals Entering Indiana

Any sheep or goats entering the state of Indiana must bear official identification and be accompanied by a current certificate of veterinary inspection. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must be written within 30 days of entry. Official individual animal identification is required for sexually intact sheep and goats of any age and wethers over 18 months of age. Individual animal identification is also required for wethers less than 18 months of age.

Animals Leaving Indiana

Always call ahead to the state of destination for sheep and/or goats moving out of Indiana. Sheep and goats that meet Indiana’s ID requirements will meet the ID requirements for all states based on USDA’s ADT rules — but you should always call ahead.

Call ahead to ask for specific details about required documentation, including entry permits. USDA recognizes Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, with official IDs noted, for interstate movements. Key questions to ask the destination state include whether a pre-entry permit is required and what the time limit is on the CVI.

Intrastate Movement and Change of Ownership

Upon change of ownership and for exhibitions, Indiana sheep and goats must have unique, individual ID. Wethers younger than 18 months of age must have identification for exhibition according to state law. However, they do not have to bear the official federal identification tag — they can have any type of tag as long as each animal is individually identified. Wethers over 18 months of age do require official ID.

In September 2001, the scrapie regulations were revised to require the official identification of sheep and goats not in slaughter channels and any sheep over 18 months of age in interstate commerce, with some exceptions. In addition, the 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.

For more on how Indiana manages regulated animal movements broadly, the state’s roadkill laws in Indiana and goose hunting season regulations reflect the same state-federal regulatory structure that governs livestock movement.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Indiana

Indiana producers have active legal obligations when scrapie is suspected or confirmed. These responsibilities span reporting, sample submission, and cooperating with quarantine procedures.

Reporting Suspected Cases

Scrapie is a reportable disease, which means suspected cases must be reported to state and federal veterinary officials. Accreditation standards require accredited veterinarians to report live or dead scrapie suspects to state and federal authorities. As a producer, you share this obligation — if you observe clinical signs consistent with scrapie in any animal, contact BOAH immediately.

Sample Submission and Testing

Producers, accredited veterinarians, APHIS representatives, and state animal health employees may collect and submit samples from adult sheep or goats. 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. Accredited veterinarians can either remove and submit whole heads or collect and submit specified tissues.

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.

Your submission of samples from sheep and goats over 18 months of age found dead or euthanized on your farm is extremely important. Without producer participation, the U.S. cannot declare itself free of scrapie, costing the sheep and goat industries approximately $10 to $20 million annually.

Quarantine Procedures

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

Flock management for infected premises includes removal of genetically susceptible exposed sheep and goats, and if all susceptible exposed animals are not removed, live-animal testing and removal of test-positive animals. Improved management of animals at lambing time includes segregating them into small groups, maintaining the risk classification of animals in each group at the same level, and removing and burying, landfilling, or incinerating placenta and soiled bedding immediately following lambing.

Ewes and does with unknown scrapie status should remain separated until there is no vaginal discharge. Milk and colostrum from potentially exposed sheep or goats should not be fed to lambs or kids.

You can find more information about scrapie testing and sample submission through the USDA APHIS scrapie disease information page or by contacting the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge for Indiana.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Indiana

Beyond the mandatory requirements of the NSEP, Indiana sheep and goat producers have the option to participate in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) — a voluntary program that can significantly improve the marketability of your animals and contribute to national eradication goals.

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.

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.

Annual Inspection and Recordkeeping Under SFCP

Participating flocks must undergo an annual inspection, at which time animals are reconciled with the flock records, checked for official identification, and examined for evidence of scrapie. Records must be retained for a minimum of seven years after an animal dies or is removed from the flock. Producers must also report all sheep or goat acquisitions from flocks with lower status or from nonparticipating flocks, and have all animals undergo veterinary inspection prior to culling or be slaughtered at a state or federally inspected facility.

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. Additionally, the SFCP contributes to APHIS’ scrapie surveillance strategy, testing sheep and goats from flocks and herds that otherwise might not be sampled through traditional slaughter surveillance.

How to Enroll in the SFCP in Indiana

To enroll your flock in the SFCP, you work through both BOAH and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Accredited veterinarians are the producers’ primary source of education about all aspects of the program, including identification, recordkeeping, and movement requirements. Your accredited veterinarian is your first point of contact for beginning the enrollment process.

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. Once enrolled, your animals will carry SFCP-specific tags that distinguish them from animals in non-certified flocks.

For full program standards and enrollment details, visit the USDA APHIS NVAP Reference Guide on Scrapie or the American Sheep Industry scrapie resources page. You can also reach BOAH at [email protected] or (317) 544-2400 for Indiana-specific enrollment guidance.

Indiana producers interested in the full scope of animal-related regulations in the state can also explore resources on pheasant hunting season in Indiana and poisonous animals in Indiana, which reflect the breadth of wildlife and livestock oversight administered at the state level.

Staying current with the Scrapie Eradication Program requirements is an ongoing responsibility. Regulations can be updated as the national program advances toward full eradication, so check with BOAH and USDA APHIS regularly to confirm you are operating under the most current standards. Your compliance not only protects your flock — it moves the entire U.S. sheep and goat industry closer to achieving scrapie-free status.