Mississippi Scrapie Eradication Program: What Sheep and Goat Owners Must Know

If you raise sheep or goats in Mississippi, scrapie regulations are not optional — they are a legal requirement backed by both state and federal authority. Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative TSE disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. Because it spreads silently through flocks and has no cure, regulators at every level treat it as a serious ongoing threat to the livestock industry.

Mississippi participates fully in the National Scrapie Eradication Program, meaning that producers in the state must meet specific identification, recordkeeping, movement, and reporting obligations. Understanding exactly what those obligations are — and why they exist — helps you stay compliant, protect your animals, and preserve your ability to sell and move livestock across state lines.

What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Mississippi

Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of sheep and goats, similar to other TSEs such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or “mad cow disease” of cattle and chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer and elk. These diseases occur because of a buildup of an abnormal cellular protein in the brain known as a prion. Susceptibility is genetically controlled in some species, including sheep and goats. In all species affected, the central nervous system begins to degenerate, there is no known cure for TSEs, and they are always fatal.

Scrapie is difficult to detect — it can take two to five years for an animal to show signs of disease, and current diagnostic tests require brain or lymphoid tissue. Animals typically live one to six months after they begin to show signs. Most 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.

The economic consequences for producers are significant. 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. The presence of scrapie in the United States also prevents the export of breeding stock, semen, and embryos to many other countries. For Mississippi producers who rely on interstate sales or export markets, this makes compliance with scrapie regulations a direct business interest, not just a legal formality.

First recognized as a disease of sheep in Great Britain and other countries of Western Europe more than 250 years ago, scrapie has been reported throughout the world. In the United States, scrapie has primarily been reported in the black-face meat breeds and their crosses. Mississippi producers raising Suffolk, Hampshire, or similar black-faced breeds should be especially attentive to monitoring and testing requirements.

Mississippi’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. Mississippi is an active and required participant in this system. The scrapie eradication program is a cooperative program between the Mississippi Board of Animal Health and APHIS and is supervised by full-time animal health veterinarians employed by the state or federal government.

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). Mississippi operates under both components, meaning that regulatory obligations apply to all producers, while the SFCP provides an additional voluntary pathway to enhanced market access.

Mississippi’s participation is not incidental — it is required to maintain a specific federal designation. In order for Mississippi to retain “Scrapie Consistent” Status as defined in CFR Parts 54 and 79, the following regulation is promulgated. This “Consistent State” status is critically important for producers because it determines what movement restrictions apply to your animals when crossing state lines. The definition for Consistent State applies to states conducting an active state scrapie control program that meets certain requirements, and a list of Consistent States can be found at the APHIS scrapie website.

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. Mississippi’s consistent participation in the program has contributed to this national progress. However, 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. This involves testing sheep and goats that are showing signs suspect of scrapie but also testing those mature animals that may be incubating the disease.

You can also explore other regulated aspects of animal ownership in Mississippi, such as exotic pets that are legal in Mississippi and dog leash laws in Mississippi, which reflect the state’s broader framework of animal regulation.

Official Animal Identification Requirements in Mississippi

Official identification is the foundation of the entire scrapie eradication system. Without it, tracing infected animals back to their flock of origin — and stopping further spread — becomes impossible. Official identification, or official ID, means identification approved by the Board and APHIS for use in the scrapie eradication program in Mississippi. For sheep, official identification consists of approved ear tags which include the flock ID number combined with an individual animal number, approved unique alphanumeric serial-numbered ear tags, or ear tags approved for use with the Scrapie Flock Certification Program. For goats, official identification consists of any method of identification approved by the USDA, as outlined in 9 CFR 79.2.

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. This means you should consult the current NSEP Standards document alongside Mississippi’s Chapter 16 regulations for the most complete picture of acceptable ID methods.

Animals required to be officially identified shall have official identification applied upon, or before, departure from the current flock of origin by the flock owner or the owner’s agent. Timing matters — you cannot wait until an animal arrives at a sale barn or new premises to apply official ID.

Removing or tampering with official identification is prohibited. No person may remove or tamper with any approved means of identification required to be on sheep or goats, unless the identification must be removed for medical reasons, in which case new official identification must be applied to the animal as soon as possible and prior to commingling that could result in the loss of identity of the animal. A record documenting the change of official identification must be made.

Obtaining official tags is straightforward. 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. 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.

If you need additional tags beyond what APHIS provides at no cost, 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 radio-frequency identification (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 Mississippi

Registering your flock and maintaining accurate records are non-negotiable obligations under the scrapie eradication program. The flock identification number, or flock ID number, means the unique alphanumeric premises identification number that appears on the official identification issued to a flock, that conforms with the standards for an epidemiologically distinct premises as outlined in 9 CFR 79.1, and that is assigned by USDA and approved by the Board.

A flock means a group of sheep or goats, or a mixture of both species, residing on the same premises or under common ownership or supervision on two or more premises with animal interchange between the premises. Changes in ownership of part or all of a flock do not change the identity of the flock or the regulatory requirements applicable to the flock. This means that if you purchase an existing operation, you inherit its flock ID and all associated regulatory history.

Recordkeeping requirements are specific and time-bound. Records on every animal that requires official ID shall be maintained for five years from the time the animal leaves the flock or dies. The federal standard mirrors this: records must be kept for five years after the animal is sold or otherwise disposed of.

What must those records contain? 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 each animal’s official ID number, the date it entered or left your flock, the source or destination, and any relevant health or testing information.

Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Mississippi

Movement rules are among the most practically important aspects of the scrapie program for producers who buy, sell, or show animals. The rules differ depending on whether animals are moving within Mississippi or crossing state lines, and they also depend on the status of the state of origin.

Interstate Movement

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. 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.

Mississippi’s Consistent State status gives your animals preferential treatment when moving to other Consistent States. However, animals coming into Mississippi from states that are not Consistent face additional requirements. Animals from “non-consistent” states may only enter if from a Scrapie Certified Flock with prior entry permit from the state veterinarian.

For slaughter animals specifically, the rules are tiered by age. Sexually intact slaughter sheep under 18 months must either originate in an SFCP-enrolled flock or be officially identified unless moving directly to slaughter or a terminal feedlot. Slaughter sheep over 18 months must be officially identified and move on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

Intrastate Movement and Shows

Movement within Mississippi also carries identification requirements, particularly for animals that change ownership. 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.

Show and exhibition rules add another layer of requirements. Official identification is required for any sexually intact sheep or goat to be exhibited. Female animals over 12 months of age should be penned separately from female animals from other flocks when practical. Female animals within 30 days of parturition, postpartum female animals, or female animals that have aborted or are pregnant and have a vaginal discharge must be kept separate from animals from other flocks so as to prohibit any direct contact. Any enclosures used to contain these female animals must be cleaned and disinfected.

All sheep and goats entering Mississippi must also comply with the state’s general livestock entry requirements. Intact sheep and goats require individual identification by an official USDA Scrapie eartag, brand, or tattoo recorded on the OCVI. All sheep and goats for immediate slaughter shall be consigned to a recognized slaughtering establishment on either an OCVI or permit or waybill or inspection certification from federally inspected stockyards, with a copy forwarded to the State Veterinarian of Mississippi.

Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Mississippi

Early detection of scrapie depends entirely on producers and veterinarians reporting suspect animals promptly. Delays in reporting allow the disease to spread through contact with other animals before a flock can be identified and quarantined.

Positive or suspect cases of scrapie must be immediately reported to the State Veterinarian. This is a mandatory obligation, not a suggestion. If you observe neurological signs in an adult sheep or goat, you are legally required to report it. 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.

Testing is a critical surveillance tool. An “official test” means any test used for the diagnosis of scrapie in a live or dead animal, approved by APHIS for that use, and conducted at an approved laboratory. Veterinarians can diagnose scrapie in live animals by biopsy of lymph tissues from the inside of the third eyelid or rectal mucosa; however, it is most often diagnosed by examining brain tissue under a microscope after death.

APHIS provides meaningful financial and logistical support for testing. 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.

When a flock is confirmed as infected or a source flock, quarantine follows automatically. Infected and source flocks will be quarantined by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health upon the determination of their status. A quarantine means an imposed restriction prohibiting movement of animals to any location without specific written permits.

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; genetic testing of sheep for scrapie susceptibility; and other support. Participating in the cleanup process rather than resisting it is both legally required and financially in your interest.

If a positive or suspect animal dies or is destroyed, tissue submission for diagnostic testing is required. 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.

For Mississippi producers interested in other aspects of state wildlife and animal regulations, resources on venomous animals in Mississippi and roadkill laws in Mississippi offer useful context on the state’s broader animal management framework.

Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Mississippi

Beyond the mandatory baseline requirements, Mississippi producers can voluntarily enroll in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP). This program rewards producers who go beyond minimum compliance with enhanced market access, stronger buyer confidence, and the ability to export animals to countries that require certified-free status.

The “Scrapie Flock Certification Program” or “SFCP” means a voluntary state-federal-industry cooperative program established and maintained to reduce the occurrence and spread of scrapie, to identify flocks that have been free of evidence of scrapie over specified time periods, and to contribute to the eventual eradication of scrapie.

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 program is structured into two main categories with distinct 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.

The SFCP identifies scrapie-free flocks by monitoring them over a five-to-seven-year period. This multi-year monitoring period is what gives the certification its credibility with buyers and importing countries. Producers exporting live sheep or goats or embryos or semen will find participation to be especially useful and possibly required by receiving countries.

The practical benefits of SFCP enrollment extend beyond exports. Animals from SFCP-enrolled flocks face fewer movement restrictions when crossing state lines, and buyers at livestock markets and breed sales increasingly prefer or require SFCP status. 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 standards.

To enroll your Mississippi flock in the SFCP, contact the Mississippi Board of Animal Health or reach out to your local APHIS Veterinary Services office. You can also visit the USDA APHIS scrapie program page for current enrollment standards, required forms, and program documentation.

For producers who raise multiple species or manage diverse operations, staying informed about all applicable Mississippi animal regulations is important. Resources covering deer hunting season in Mississippi and dove hunting season in Mississippi can help round out your understanding of how Mississippi manages its animal populations at the state level. Similarly, producers curious about the broader wildlife context of their land may find value in guides to types of snakes in Mississippi and types of hawks in Mississippi.

Scrapie eradication in Mississippi is a shared responsibility. When you identify animals correctly, maintain accurate records, report suspect cases promptly, and consider SFCP enrollment, you protect your own operation and contribute to a national effort that benefits every sheep and goat producer in the country. Without producer help, the U.S. will not be able to declare itself free of scrapie, costing the sheep and goat industries approximately $10 to $20 million annually. Your compliance is not a burden — it is an investment in the long-term viability of your operation and your industry.