Scrapie Eradication Program in Rhode Island: What Sheep and Goat Owners Must Know
August 16, 2026
If you own sheep or goats in Rhode Island, scrapie regulations are not optional — they apply to every flock owner, whether you raise a handful of animals on a hobby farm or manage a larger commercial operation. Scrapie is a non-febrile, transmissible, insidious degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. Because it spreads silently and has no cure, state and federal authorities have built a comprehensive framework of identification, recordkeeping, movement, and reporting rules to track and eliminate it.
Rhode Island participates fully in the National Scrapie Eradication Program, meaning the rules you must follow are shaped by both federal regulations and state-specific requirements. This guide walks you through every layer of that framework — from what scrapie is and why it matters, to how you register your flock, tag your animals, move them legally, and pursue voluntary certification.
What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Rhode Island
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). You may already be familiar with BSE (commonly called “mad cow disease”) — scrapie belongs to the same family of prion diseases and raises similar public health concerns.
The agent responsible for scrapie and other TSEs is smaller than the smallest known virus and has not been completely characterized. There are a variety of theories regarding the nature of the agent. The most widely accepted is that the disease is caused by an infectious protein, or prion, that causes the normal cellular version of the protein to change shape such that it can no longer be degraded by the cell.
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 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. Apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it.
Common clinical signs include incoordination, weakness, stumbling, difficulty rising, and intense rubbing or scratching. Infected flocks typically experience significant production losses. Beyond on-farm 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 yet free of scrapie.
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. This is why Rhode Island — like every other state — is required to enforce scrapie identification and control measures as a condition of maintaining its standing in the national program. If you keep sheep or goats in the state, understanding this disease is the first step toward staying compliant. You can also learn more about goat ownership laws in Rhode Island to understand the broader regulatory landscape for small ruminant owners.
Rhode Island’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. Rhode Island is an active participant in this program, meaning that state-level enforcement runs in parallel with federal oversight from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
To date, the program has eliminated scrapie in 99 percent of U.S. sheep and goats. The program is conducting targeted sampling of subpopulations that have a higher prevalence of scrapie than the general sheep and goat population to find the remaining cases.
The purpose of Rhode Island’s rules is to ensure that all sheep and goats moving interstate or intrastate, or those residing within the state, are identified by a USDA-accepted, permanent, official identification prior to any change of ownership or movement off a premises or farm, and that records of this official identification be made available to federal and state health officials upon request. This mandatory identification is required in order to safeguard public health, animal health, and the livestock industry from disease and illness associated with sheep and goats, and to maintain official “State Scrapie Consistent Status.”
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 a Rhode Island flock owner, you are subject to the mandatory regulatory component and may choose to enroll in the voluntary certification program for added marketability.
For a country to achieve scrapie-free status, international standards require that no sheep or goats test positive for classical scrapie for seven years and a certain level of testing be done each year that represents the sheep and goat populations within the country. The annual goal set for the United States is more than 40,000 samples collected from mature (over 18 months) sheep and goat populations. Rhode Island flock owners who report suspect animals and submit samples play a direct role in reaching that goal. You may also want to review animal regulation frameworks in Rhode Island to understand how the state approaches livestock and animal oversight more broadly.
Official Animal Identification Requirements in Rhode Island
All animals require official identification prior to being moved into or out of the State of Rhode Island, prior to being commingled with animals from other flocks, and after a change in ownership of a flock or individual animal. This applies to both sheep and goats, regardless of whether the movement is interstate or intrastate.
What Counts as Official Identification
Official identification means a unique, permanent, secure, traceable individual identification, approved by the Board and by APHIS for use in the Scrapie Eradication Program. Rhode Island accepts the following approved forms:
- Tamper-resistant ear tags approved by APHIS for use in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program
- Flank or ear tattoos (or, for goats registered with the American Dairy Goat Association, tail web tattoos)
- Electronic implants (microchips) approved by APHIS as tamper-resistant, non-harmful, and readable by program equipment
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 Ear Tags
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 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. 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.
Some states have identification requirements that are stricter than federal requirements, so the exceptions listed in federal rules do not apply in all states. For information on each state’s ID and movement requirements, contact the State Veterinarian’s office. Rhode Island’s rules apply to all animals regardless of age or purpose, making it one of the stricter states in terms of coverage.
Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Rhode Island
Any person who buys or sells animals in the State of Rhode Island must register their flocks or individual animals with the Board. This registration step is foundational — without a flock ID number, you cannot legally obtain official ear tags or comply with identification requirements.
Flock 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 are 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.
Flock Plans
The State of Rhode Island Scrapie Eradication Program is governed by 9 C.F.R. §§ 54 and 79. All owners are required to file a flock plan with the Director pursuant to and in accordance with 9 C.F.R. § 54.8.
A flock plan is a written flock management agreement signed by the owner of a flock, the accredited veterinarian (if one is employed by the owner), and a State or APHIS representative, in which each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the flock plan to control the spread of scrapie from, and eradicate scrapie in, an infected flock or source flock, or to reduce the risk of the occurrence of scrapie in a flock that contains a high-risk or exposed animal. As part of a flock plan, the flock owner must provide the facilities and personnel needed to carry out the requirements of the flock plan.
Recordkeeping Standards
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.
Like sheep producers, producers of goats for meat or fiber and slaughter goats more than 18 months of age are required to officially identify their animals to their flocks of birth or flocks of origin, and to maintain certain identification records for five years. This five-year retention requirement applies to sales records, purchase records, and tagging documentation. For a broader look at how Rhode Island regulates animal ownership and related responsibilities, see Rhode Island’s animal control laws.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Rhode Island
Movement rules in Rhode Island apply in both directions — animals coming into the state and animals leaving it — and cover both interstate and intrastate scenarios. Understanding these rules before you move any animal is essential.
Animals Moving Into Rhode Island
Any sheep or goat entering Rhode Island must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that displays the official identification of the animal. No animal that is currently designated as scrapie positive, suspect, or high-risk, or that is from a flock that is currently designated as a scrapie source, exposed, infected, or noncompliant flock as defined in 9 C.F.R. § 79.1, may be imported into the State of Rhode Island.
Nothing in this section shall prevent the movement of animals for which state importation is prohibited from moving interstate, provided they are being moved interstate for destruction or research as approved by the Administrator.
Animals Moving Within or Out of Rhode Island
The National Scrapie Eradication Initiative requires that all sheep and goats be officially identified prior to leaving a premises or changing ownership. The implementation of a national animal identification program for sheep and goats makes it more efficient to trace back the outbreak of disease in an individual animal or group of animals to the original premises, flock, or herd for the purpose of protecting animal health and reducing the threat of global animal disease. This animal identification system also makes it more efficient to conduct a traceback of exposed animals that were previously moved out of that premises, flock, or herd. Livestock health officials are then able to more rapidly isolate the disease and prevent its spread.
A sheep or goat must be identified to its flock of origin and to its flock of birth by the owner of the animal (or his or her agent) before commingling the animal with sheep or goats from any other flock of origin. This includes unloading of the animal at a livestock facility approved to accept unidentified sheep or goats and that has agreed to act as an agent for the owner to apply official identification. The animal must be identified prior to commingling with other animals from other flocks of origin.
Slaughter Channel Animals
Animals moving directly to slaughter are treated differently under the program. Scrapie flock certification program means the cooperative Federal-State industry voluntary program for the control of scrapie. Any sexually intact animal that is commingled with breeding animals or that has been bred is not in slaughter channels. When selling animals for slaughter, owners should note on the bill of sale that the animals are sold only for slaughter.
| Animal Type | ID Required Before Movement? | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Breeding sheep (all ages) | Yes | Required before leaving premises or changing ownership |
| Breeding goats | Yes | Same requirements as sheep under 2019 Final Rule |
| Goats for meat/fiber, 18+ months | Yes | Must be identified to flock of birth or origin |
| Animals in slaughter channels only | Modified rules apply | Bill of sale must note slaughter-only purpose |
| Scrapie-positive, suspect, or high-risk animals | Prohibited entry into RI | May only move interstate for destruction or approved research |
For related information on how Rhode Island handles other aspects of animal movement and ownership, visit Rhode Island’s roadkill and animal handling laws or explore how the state handles animal incident liability.
Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires prompt action when scrapie is suspected or confirmed. The reporting and quarantine framework mirrors federal standards but is enforced at the state level through the DEM and the State Veterinarian’s office.
Disease Reporting
Any person who knows or reasonably suspects that a flock or individual animal is infected with scrapie must report that knowledge or suspicion to the appropriate state or federal animal health authority. Delayed reporting is a compliance violation and can result in broader disease spread.
If you have an adult sheep or goat exhibiting neurological signs — such as incoordination, severe continuous rubbing, stumbling, or difficulty rising — you should contact the RI State Veterinarian or USDA APHIS Veterinary Services immediately. There is no charge for the collection or testing of samples for scrapie. You can also call the national scrapie hotline at 866-536-7593.
Testing Methods and Surveillance
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.
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, and can also issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement.
Rhode Island’s rabies management protocols note that sheep and goat samples for which scrapie is a possibility will be submitted to the University of Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory. Rabies testing will be the priority, and if negative for rabies, the remaining sample will be tested for scrapie.
Quarantine Procedures
When a flock is designated as infected, exposed, or a source flock, quarantine is imposed. Under quarantine, animals may not be moved from the premises without a permit from the state authority. Movement permits are only issued for specific destinations such as approved slaughter facilities, USDA facilities, or quarantined research facilities.
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; and genetic testing of sheep for scrapie susceptibility.
Genetic testing plays an increasingly important role in quarantine management. The scrapie regulations now include changes to the risk groups and categories established for individual animals and for flocks, increasing the use of genetic testing as a means of assigning risk levels to animals, reducing movement restrictions for animals found to be genetically less susceptible or resistant to scrapie. This means that genetically resistant animals in a quarantined flock may qualify for earlier release from movement restrictions. You can explore more about how Rhode Island manages animal-related public health issues at Rhode Island’s tick season and disease risk resources.
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Rhode Island
Beyond the mandatory regulatory requirements, Rhode Island flock owners can voluntarily enroll in the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP). Participation does not exempt you from the baseline identification and movement rules, but it adds significant value to your operation by demonstrating a verified, monitored scrapie-free status.
Program Overview and Objectives
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 National Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) increases the marketability of sheep and goats from flocks that have demonstrated freedom of scrapie disease by adhering to program standards, inspections, and recordkeeping requirements.
SFCP 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 Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Export | Export Monitored / Export Certified | Certify flocks as scrapie-free for international trade eligibility |
| Select | Select Monitored | Minimize scrapie risk and improve domestic marketability |
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.
Tags, Records, and Veterinary Involvement
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.
Accredited veterinarians are the producers’ primary source of education about all aspects of the program, including identification, recordkeeping, and movement requirements. Annual inspections are a core component of SFCP participation, and your accredited veterinarian plays a central role in conducting those inspections, reconciling your animal inventory, and collecting any required samples.
How SFCP Supports the Broader Eradication Effort
Every Rhode Island flock enrolled in the SFCP contributes directly to the national surveillance network. The implementation of a national animal identification program for sheep and goats makes it more efficient to trace back the outbreak of disease in an individual animal or group of animals to the original premises, flock, or herd. This system also makes it more efficient to conduct a traceback of exposed animals that were previously moved out of that premises, flock, or herd. Livestock health officials are then able to more rapidly isolate the disease and prevent its spread.
Rhode Island flock owners who want to stay informed about updates to the SFCP standards can subscribe to USDA APHIS GovDelivery email notifications by selecting “Animal Health – Sheep and Goats” and “Federal Register” from the subscription options. 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.
Whether you are a new flock owner just registering for the first time or an experienced producer looking to pursue certification, the scrapie eradication framework in Rhode Island is designed to be workable — and the resources available through USDA APHIS and the RI DEM make compliance achievable. For additional context on how Rhode Island regulates animals and wildlife across different categories, explore resources such as endangered animals in Rhode Island and Rhode Island’s animal trespass and neighbor laws. You can also reach the USDA APHIS sheep and goat team directly at aphis.usda.gov or by calling 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824) for tag requests, flock ID registration, and program guidance.