Scrapie Eradication Program in New Jersey: What Every Sheep and Goat Producer Needs to Know
July 5, 2026
If you raise sheep or goats in New Jersey, scrapie regulations are not optional — they are a federal and state obligation that affects how you identify, move, record, and report your animals. Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative TSE disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats, and the rules governing it touch every part of your operation, from the tag in your animal’s ear to the paperwork you keep on file for years after a sale.
Understanding the Scrapie Eradication Program in New Jersey means knowing both the national framework set by USDA APHIS and the specific obligations that apply to Garden State producers. This guide walks you through each layer of the program so you can stay compliant, protect your flock, and contribute to a nationwide effort that has already come remarkably close to finishing the job.
What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in New Jersey
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The TSE family also includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, and public health concerns related to the transmission of BSE to humans have resulted in efforts to eradicate all TSEs in food-producing animals.
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 1 to 6 months after they begin to show signs. Most are infected as young lambs or kids, but adult animals can get it, too. That long incubation window is precisely what makes the disease so difficult to detect and eradicate.
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.
Common clinical signs include:
- Incoordination or poor muscle control (ataxia)
- Stumbling, falling down, or difficulty rising
- Severe, continuous rubbing against fixed objects
- Other neurological signs or unexplained weight loss
Infected flocks typically experience significant production losses. The U.S. sheep and goat industry continues to experience export losses and increased production and disposal costs because the United States is not free of scrapie. For New Jersey producers specifically, this means that your compliance with identification and reporting rules directly affects the economic viability of the broader New Jersey animal agriculture sector.
New Jersey’s Role in the National Scrapie Eradication Program
The National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP), a cooperative State-Federal-industry program, is working to eradicate classical scrapie from the United States and meet World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) criteria for disease freedom. New Jersey participates in this program as a full partner, with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health (NJDA-DAH) serving as the state-level regulatory authority.
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 that progress, the final cases remain elusive. The most recent two cases of scrapie found in the US were sampled at slaughter but could not be traced back to a farm origin. One of these cases was a sheep in Wisconsin in 2021 and another was a goat tested in Indiana in 2019. Because these animals did not have adequate records and identification to find where they came from, it is likely there are still farms with cases of scrapie.
New Jersey’s contribution to the national effort is measured in part by annual sampling quotas. Each year every state is given a minimum number of samples to be collected based on the breeding sheep and goat populations. This assures sampling represents the different populations. In fiscal year 2023 (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023), NJ needed to sample 31 mature (over 18 months) sheep and 23 mature goats.
The Division of Animal Health maintains disease control programs to protect the health and well-being of livestock in New Jersey. The Division tracks information about emerging diseases around the world that may impact the Garden State, conducts epidemiological investigations of livestock diseases, operates an animal health diagnostic laboratory, manages quarantine facilities, and supports an aggressive livestock welfare program. You can reach the NJDA Division of Animal Health at (609) 671-6400 for program-specific guidance.
Official Animal Identification Requirements in New Jersey
Official identification is the backbone of the scrapie eradication program. 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/flock.
Some states have identification (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. In New Jersey, you should contact NJDA-DAH or the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office at 609-241-2236 for current state-specific requirements.
Approved Forms of Official Identification
APHIS has approved several companies to manufacture and sell official devices, including tags and injectable transponders. Producers should consider the different devices available — including metal or plastic tags, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, RFID implants (there are restrictions on the use of implants) — and choose what works best for them.
| ID Type | Description | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Official Plastic Flock ID Tag | Visual tag bearing the flock ID and individual animal number | Compatible applicator must be purchased separately |
| Official Metal Serial Tag | Metal tag with state postal abbreviation plus alphanumeric code | Free supply for dealers/markets; discontinued for producers as of Aug. 31, 2019 |
| RFID / Electronic Tag | Scannable chip for rapid trace-back | National premises ID required for 840 RFID tags or implantable devices |
| Registry Tattoo | Breed registry tattoo containing flock ID and unique animal number | Animal must be accompanied by registration certificate from an APHIS-approved registry |
APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to encourage the use of electronic identification to improve the nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak. While electronic ID is not currently mandatory, its adoption is strongly encouraged by both federal and state authorities.
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. 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 New Jersey
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 (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. Producers will need to purchase the compatible applicator from the tag manufacturer. You can also contact USDA APHIS Veterinary Services directly at 609-241-2236 for assistance specific to New Jersey. There is no charge for the collection or testing of the samples.
Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in New Jersey
Proper recordkeeping is not a bureaucratic formality — it is the mechanism that allows investigators to trace a disease-positive animal back to its flock of origin. The success of the Scrapie Eradication Program is tied to producers keeping good records of animal sales and purchases.
Flock and Premises ID Numbers
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 under the same ownership. The flock ID number must begin with the State postal abbreviation, 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.
To get your flock ID assigned, call 1-866-USDA-TAG. For registered herds, provide the herd’s registration prefix and ask that it be used as your scrapie flock/herd identification number, along with your postal abbreviation. Once assigned, your flock ID is linked to your premises in the National Scrapie Database, which is the central record system used for all trace-back investigations.
What Records You Must Keep
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. These records must be maintained for a minimum of five years.
At a minimum, your flock records should include:
- The official ID number on each animal’s tag, tattoo, or RFID device
- The date each animal was acquired or born into the flock
- The seller’s premises identification number for purchased animals
- The date and destination when animals leave the flock
- The buyer’s premises identification number for sold animals
Producers should consider keeping records in an electronic format, such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Digital records are easier to search, update, and share with state or federal investigators if a trace-back investigation is ever initiated on your premises. The NJ Sheep and Goat Health Assurance Program through NJDA-DAH can also help you develop a comprehensive herd management plan tailored to your operation.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in New Jersey
Whether you are sending animals to another state or moving them within New Jersey, specific identification and documentation rules apply. Failing to comply can result in animals being turned back at inspection points or triggering a federal investigation.
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. 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.
As a New Jersey producer, any sheep or goat leaving the state must carry official ID before departure. Never let a sheep or goat leave without an official Scrapie ID — it is the fastest way to get a phone call from a federal investigator. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is also required for most interstate shipments; contact an accredited veterinarian to complete this documentation before your animals travel.
Intrastate Movement and Exemptions
Movement within New Jersey is also subject to identification requirements, though certain exemptions exist under federal rules. Animals that may be exempt from official ID requirements in some circumstances include:
- Castrated sheep or goats under 18 months of age
- 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 same owner, provided the premises is recorded in the National Scrapie Database and commingling does not occur with unidentified animals born in another flock
- Low-risk commercial goats that have not been exposed to scrapie or to sheep (unless those sheep are low-risk commercial animals)
Some states have identification requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed above do not apply in all states. Always verify current New Jersey-specific intrastate rules with the NJDA Division of Animal Health before assuming an exemption applies to your situation. Just as New Jersey has specific regulations governing roadkill laws and exotic pet ownership, it maintains its own livestock movement standards that can differ from baseline federal rules.
Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in New Jersey
Surveillance is the engine of scrapie eradication. New Jersey producers, veterinarians, and animal health officials all play active roles in detecting and reporting cases that could represent the last remaining pockets of the disease in the country.
When and How to Report Suspect Animals
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 Veterinary Services office.
In New Jersey, contact USDA APHIS Veterinary Services at 609-241-2236 or the NJDA Division of Animal Health at (609) 671-6400. Dr. Alison Stout, New Jersey’s Assistant Area Veterinarian In-Charge, has outlined how New Jersey sheep and goat producers can assist in the eradication of scrapie: “If a producer has an adult sheep or goat that dies, that must be euthanized, or is being culled please contact USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services at 609-241-2236.”
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. There is no cost to the producer for collection or testing. The samples required are brain tissue and a lymph node — both are necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
Quarantine Procedures
When a flock tests positive for classical scrapie, a formal quarantine is placed on the premises. The response involves removal of genetically susceptible exposed sheep and exposed goats; if all susceptible exposed animals are not removed, live-animal testing and removal of test-positive animals follows.
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. Indemnity values are updated annually through the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table, so contact APHIS for the most current figures at the time of a confirmed case.
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. Detailed decontamination protocols are available in Appendix 2 of the Scrapie Program Standards Volume 2 published by USDA APHIS.
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in New Jersey
Beyond basic compliance, New Jersey producers who want to demonstrate a higher standard of disease management — and improve the marketability of their animals — can enroll in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP).
What the SFCP Is and Who It Is For
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 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 Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP) was added in 1992 and is a voluntary certification program within the NSEP. The SFCP identifies scrapie-free flocks by monitoring them over a 5–7 year period. For New Jersey producers who sell breeding stock, export animals, or want to command premium prices in the marketplace, SFCP status is a meaningful credential.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Export | Export Monitored / Export Certified | Certify flocks as scrapie-free for international trade and high-value breeding stock sales |
| Select | Select Monitored | Demonstrate reduced scrapie risk for domestic marketing advantages |
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 Requirements and Benefits
To enroll in the SFCP, you must work with your state animal health official and USDA APHIS. Key program requirements include:
- Official individual animal ID for all animals in the flock
- Accurate and complete flock records maintained for the duration of enrollment
- Annual herd inspections by a state or federal veterinarian
- Acquisition of replacement females only from flocks of equal or higher SFCP status
- Submission of samples from animals that die or are euthanized on-farm
SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program. These specialized tags visually distinguish your animals as part of a certified flock, which can be a selling point when marketing breeding stock to buyers who prioritize disease-free sourcing.
The program provides sheep and goat producers the opportunity to increase the marketability of their animals through demonstrating a negligible scrapie risk in their flock or herd. The revised program additionally enhances scrapie surveillance strategy, contributing to the final push to eradicate this disease from the United States.
To learn more about enrolling your New Jersey flock in the SFCP, contact the NJDA Division of Animal Health at (609) 671-6400 or visit the USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program page. You can also reach USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in New Jersey at 609-241-2236 or email scrapie@usda.gov for program-specific questions. New Jersey producers interested in broader animal health resources for the state can also explore related content on animal regulations in New Jersey and the state’s overall approach to livestock and wildlife management.
Staying current with New Jersey’s scrapie eradication requirements means regularly checking in with the NJDA Division of Animal Health and USDA APHIS, as program standards, sampling quotas, and indemnity tables are updated on a regular basis. Your proactive participation — tagging animals correctly, maintaining complete records, submitting samples from animals that die on-farm, and reporting any suspicious neurological signs — is what moves the entire country closer to the finish line on a disease that has been fought for more than 70 years.