Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) affecting sheep and goats.
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. 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.
Surveillance for scrapie in the U.S. is conducted through the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP), a cooperative State-Federal-industry program.
Regulations
Visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) Page for the latest information on scrapie.
- Sheep & Goat Official ID Basics Flow Chart (pdf)
- Final Scrapie Rule Effective April 2019 (pdf)
- ASI Summary: New Regulation Improves Scrapie Eradication Program (pdf)
Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) Standards
The SFCP provides producers the opportunity to increase the marketability of their animals through demonstrating scrapie freedom in their flock or herd. Visit the UDSA links below for information.
Help Eradicate Scrapie
- Educate yourself on the clinical signs of scrapie.
- Visit the USDA Scrapie Disease Information Page.
- 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. Testing clinical suspects is the most cost effective way to find scrapie infected animals.
- Submit samples or whole heads from sheep and goats over 18 months of age that die or are euthanized on your premises.
- Visit the USDA Scrapie Sample Submission Page for information about Scrapie Testing
- Identify your sheep/goats before they the leave your farm.
Official Sheep Identification Information
For information on ordering official sheep tags click here.
To request official sheep tags, a flock or premises ID or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824).
Brochures
Scrapie: Eradicate It Quarterly Newsletter
- September 2021 — APHIS Issued Official Scrapie Tag Report in 2021
- August 2021 — U.S. Closing In On Scrapie Freedom
- April 2021 — ASI, APHIS Preparing for Use of Electronic Identification
- September 2020 — NSEP Progress: The 2019 Scrapie Rule at 1 Year
- March 2019 Special Edition — New Regulation Improves Scrapie Eradication Program
- March 2019 — Scrapie Infected Sheep & Goat Flock in Pennsylvania
- June 2018 — New Tool to Protect Goats
- June 2017 — Scrapie Submissions Needed
- March 2017 — No U.S. Classical Scrapie Cases Since April 2016