Wisconsin Scrapie Eradication Program: What Sheep and Goat Producers Need to Know
June 30, 2026
If you raise sheep or goats in Wisconsin, understanding the Scrapie Eradication Program is not optional — it is a legal obligation that affects how you identify, move, and manage your animals. Scrapie is a fatal neurological disease with no cure, and both federal and state authorities have built a layered framework of rules to find and eliminate the last remaining cases in the United States.
This guide walks you through every major component of the program as it applies to Wisconsin producers: what scrapie is, how the state participates in the national effort, what identification your animals must carry, how to register your flock, what movement rules apply, when you must report or test, and how voluntary certification can benefit your operation.
What Is Scrapie and Why It Is Regulated in Wisconsin
Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. Like other TSEs, it is caused by misfolded prion proteins that progressively destroy brain tissue, and there is no cure or treatment for scrapie.
It can take 2 to 5 years for an animal to show signs of disease, and current diagnostic tests require brain or lymphoid tissue. This long incubation period is one of the reasons the disease is so difficult to detect and control. Apparently healthy animals infected with the disease agent can spread it.
Clinical signs that should prompt immediate attention include:
- Subtle changes in behavior or temperament in early stages
- Animals that may appear normal at rest but, if startled or stressed, tremble or fall down as if in a convulsion
- Signs of incoordination, poor muscle control, or weakness
- Unexplained weight loss or difficulty eating
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.
Regulation matters for economic reasons as well as animal health ones. Infected flocks typically experience significant production losses, and 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. Critically, although there is no evidence to suggest scrapie is a human health concern, eradication can increase consumer confidence in a healthy food supply.
Wisconsin has a direct connection to the ongoing national effort. The most recent two cases of scrapie found in the U.S. were sampled at slaughter — a sheep tested in Wisconsin in 2021, and a goat in Indiana in 2019 — and authorities were unable to trace these to the farms of origin. This underscores why Wisconsin producers remain a critical part of the national surveillance network.
Wisconsin’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. Wisconsin participates through its Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), which works alongside USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to implement the program at the state level.
The main tools in the program are animal identification to facilitate rapid identification of exposed animals and premises, surveillance testing among live animals and post-slaughter, and genetic-based flock cleanup plans. Each of these tools depends on producers in Wisconsin and across the country following their identification and reporting obligations.
The program has made substantial progress nationally. The National Scrapie Eradication Program, coordinated by USDA APHIS, has reduced the prevalence of scrapie in adult sheep sampled at slaughter by over 99 percent. However, one of the most difficult aspects of an eradication program is finding the last few cases of the disease, which involves testing sheep and goats that are showing signs suspect of scrapie but also testing those mature animals that may be incubating the disease.
The NSEP operates in three stages, according to USDA APHIS: first, eradicating scrapie by finding remaining cases; second, conducting high-level surveillance to ensure no cases remain; and third, maintaining sufficient ongoing monitoring to meet World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) requirements. Wisconsin producers play a role in all three stages through identification compliance, surveillance sample submission, and flock certification.
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. For Wisconsin producers, participation in the program is both a legal requirement and an investment in the long-term value of their animals.
Official Animal Identification Requirements in Wisconsin
Official individual identification is the foundation of the entire scrapie program. Without it, animals cannot be legally moved, traced, or enrolled in certification programs. Wisconsin state law requires official individual identification of sheep and goats that are sold or moved in commerce, consistent with standards under the federal scrapie control program.
Wisconsin DATCP recognizes the following as approved official identification for sheep and goats in the state:
- Ear tags — to be official, the tag must have the U.S. Shield; this includes metal or plastic scrapie ear tags with flock ID and management number, or metal or plastic scrapie “serial” ear tags that have numbers and letters
- Official USDA RFID tags with a 15-digit number beginning with “840”
- Legible tattoos — including breed association or registration tattoos with a management number accompanied by registration papers in the owner’s name, or official premises ID or flock ID along with a unique management number
- USDA-approved implanted microchips, which may be used for animals with a breed registry or within a scrapie flock certification program
There are important restrictions on how some of these methods can be used. Tattoos may not be used as the sole form of official ID for animals moving to slaughter or through a livestock market. Similarly, all sheep and goats that go through a market or to slaughter and require official identification must be eartagged with official ID.
Regarding when ID is required, animals younger than 12 months most need ID unless they are neutered or are going directly to a slaughter establishment — and a livestock market, auction, or private home or farm is NOT a slaughter establishment.
To get a premises ID or flock ID and order official tags, call 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824), which has a telephone tree that will gather information to route you to the correct APHIS Veterinary Services or State office to answer your questions about sheep and goat identification.
Wisconsin producers who raise and sell livestock — including sheep and goats — may also find useful context in resources covering other regulated animals in the state, such as the petting zoos in Wisconsin guide, which covers animal welfare and display standards relevant to small-scale producers.
Flock Registration and Recordkeeping Requirements in Wisconsin
Before you can obtain official identification tags or participate in any component of the scrapie program, your premises must be registered. Wisconsin requires all premises where livestock — including goats — are kept to be registered with DATCP through the Wisconsin Premises Registration Program. This is a straightforward process that assigns your property a unique premises identification number, which is used for disease tracing and livestock movement documentation.
Registration is free and can be completed through the DATCP Premises Registration portal. Failure to register your premises before keeping livestock is a violation of state law.
Once your premises are registered, recordkeeping is an ongoing legal obligation. Records must be kept for 5 years after the animal is sold or otherwise disposed of. Identification and maintaining records for at least five years is an essential component in keeping a flock/herd and premises safe from disease.
The following table summarizes the core recordkeeping requirements under the NSEP:
| Record Type | What to Document | Retention Period |
|---|---|---|
| ID Application | Flock ID of origin, name and address of person applying ID, tag number applied | 5 years from date of disposal or sale |
| Animal Acquisitions | Official ID number, source premises, date of acquisition | 5 years from date of disposal or sale |
| Animal Disposals | Official ID number, destination premises, date and reason for disposal | 5 years from date of disposal or sale |
| Test Results | Any scrapie test results received from APHIS or accredited veterinarians | 5 years minimum |
Ideally, producers should keep records in an electronic format, such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, to make retrieval easier during inspections or disease investigations.
Tag management is also regulated. Official tags may not be sold or given to another person. If you no longer need the tags, they should be destroyed or returned to the APHIS Veterinary Services District Field office.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules for Sheep and Goats in Wisconsin
Movement rules are among the most practically important components of the scrapie program for Wisconsin producers. Whether you are buying animals from out of state, selling to buyers in another state, or moving animals between your own properties within Wisconsin, specific requirements apply.
Importing sheep and goats into Wisconsin:
When moving goats into Wisconsin from another state, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — commonly called a health certificate — is required. The certificate must be issued by a licensed accredited veterinarian and must accompany the animals during transport. The same requirement applies to sheep. Wisconsin DATCP may also require testing for specific diseases depending on the origin state and the type of animals being moved.
There is one notable species-specific restriction: all goats entering Wisconsin from Michigan will be quarantined on arrival and require a TB test between 60 and 90 days after arrival. Goats from the Modified Accredited Zone in Michigan are not eligible to enter Wisconsin to be sold at a consignment sale or auction.
Exporting sheep and goats from Wisconsin:
Except as noted, Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for sheep or goats. You should contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.
Animals going directly to slaughter:
Sheep and goats going directly to slaughter must have official individual ID, but do not need a CVI. However, animals that are designated as slaughter animals but are not being sent directly to a slaughter facility must meet the regular import requirements.
Interstate movement and CVIs:
If you are crossing state lines, you also need an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) for your animals. The ICVI must be issued by an accredited veterinarian and must include the animal’s tag number.
Note that scrapie-positive, suspect, and high-risk animals, some exposed animals, and animals that originated in an infected or source flock require permits rather than CVIs. Contact the VS District Office for further information on these permits.
Reporting, Testing, and Quarantine Requirements in Wisconsin
Timely reporting and testing are essential to finding the remaining cases of scrapie in the United States. Wisconsin producers have specific obligations in this area, and fulfilling them is both a legal requirement and a contribution to the national eradication effort.
When you must report:
Contact your State Veterinarian or the USDA Veterinary Services Office for your state if your sheep or goat, older than 12 months, exhibits clinical signs of scrapie. Clinical signs include incoordination, severe continuous rubbing, or other neurologic signs. You should also report if an adult animal dies, is euthanized, or is being culled — even if you believe you know the cause of death.
On-farm surveillance testing:
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.
APHIS also provides support to make sample submission as easy as possible. Shipping boxes and pre-printed, postage-paid labels are available at no cost to producers and accredited veterinarians, removing a significant logistical barrier to participation.
Quarantine procedures:
When a flock is identified as infected, source, or exposed, USDA and Wisconsin DATCP work together to implement a quarantine. Quarantine management 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.
Additional management steps during a quarantine include:
- Improved management of animals at lambing time with particular attention to segregating them into small groups or keeping them alone when possible, and removing and burying, landfilling, or incinerating placenta and soiled bedding immediately following lambing
- Genetic testing of sheep to identify susceptible animals for targeted removal
- Restriction on movement of animals off the premises without a permit
Genetic susceptibility and testing:
Susceptibility in sheep is linked to genetics, and genetic testing is available to aid in management of this disease. Genetic susceptibility in goats is not well understood, therefore all goats are considered susceptible when evaluating exposure risks for this species.
Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural landscape — including farms that host animals alongside wildlife habitat — makes surveillance especially important. Producers interested in how wildlife interacts with livestock environments may find background in resources like types of snakes in Wisconsin or types of hawks in Wisconsin, which cover species that share agricultural land across the state.
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) in Wisconsin
Beyond the mandatory compliance requirements, Wisconsin sheep and goat producers have access to a voluntary program that can significantly increase the marketability and value of their animals: the Scrapie Free 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 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 following table compares the two SFCP categories:
| Category | Statuses Available | Primary Purpose | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export | Export Monitored, Export Certified | Certify flock as scrapie-free for international trade | Annual inspections, inventory reconciliation, official ID, recordkeeping, animal sampling |
| Select | Select Monitored | Demonstrate reduced scrapie risk for domestic sales | Enrollment, official ID compliance, recordkeeping, periodic monitoring |
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.
Producers exporting live sheep and goats or embryos and semen will find participation to be especially useful and possibly required by receiving countries. If you sell breeding stock or plan to export animals internationally, SFCP certification is a practical necessity rather than just an option.
There is no charge to enroll in either SFCP program category. DATCP will issue certificates that flock owners can use to document their participation status when selling animals or responding to buyer inquiries.
SFCP tags may only be purchased by owners of flocks participating in the Scrapie-Free Flock Certification Program, which is an additional benefit of enrollment — SFCP-specific tags signal your certification status at a glance during inspections or sales.
To apply for the SFCP in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin DATCP Scrapie program page or reach out to USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. You can also learn more about the national program structure through the USDA APHIS Scrapie page, which provides current program standards and enrollment guidance.
Wisconsin producers who keep a variety of animals alongside their flocks may also benefit from reviewing other animal management resources relevant to the state. For example, understanding the wildlife present on your property — such as types of owls in Wisconsin or venomous animals in Wisconsin — can support broader biosecurity planning for your operation.
Staying Compliant: Key Contacts and Next Steps
Meeting your obligations under the Wisconsin Scrapie Eradication Program comes down to four core actions: register your premises, officially identify your animals, keep accurate records for five years, and report any animals showing signs consistent with scrapie. If you sell breeding stock or export animals, enrolling in the SFCP adds an important layer of credibility and marketability to your operation.
For questions specific to Wisconsin requirements, contact Wisconsin DATCP’s Division of Animal Health at (608) 224-4874. For federal program questions, tag orders, or flock ID setup, call USDA APHIS at 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824). For movement permit questions involving high-risk or quarantined animals, contact your USDA Veterinary Services District Office directly.
Staying current with program requirements is also important, since requirements are subject to change as conditions warrant. Bookmark the DATCP Sheep and Goat Movement page and check it before any interstate purchase or transport. Wisconsin’s sheep and goat producers are a critical part of reaching national scrapie-free status — and every compliant flock brings that goal closer.