Scrapie Outreach Funds Available

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is making funds available to member states to participate in a Scrapie Eradication Outreach Program. Up to $1,000 per state is available for the implementation of activities supporting the eradication of scrapie including, but not limited to, producer education and premises registration.

As required by the cooperative agreement, all funds must be used to support the eradication of scrapie in the United States, or for other closely related topics, such as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its direct relationship to the sheep industry. Other examples of possible funding uses include: costs to procure speakers for scrapie presentations at meetings; a portion of the expenses of holding a meeting where scrapie information is provided or where premises registration occurs; scrapie educational materials; or other premises registration activities.

Application forms were mailed to either the state executive or the ASI director in each affiliate state asking for participation in this program. Upon approval of the project, funds will be disbursed to the state. Written reports detailing the measure of success of the project will be due to the ASI office by Sept. 1, 2005.

?The eradication of scrapie in this country is a primary goal for the sheep industry. Even though the incident rate of scrapie may be low, its eradication will have a positive impact for the industry in the international arena,? states Paul Rodgers, deputy director of animal health for ASI.