UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In Pennsylvania, sheep and goat producers are required to distinguish their animals with an official scrapie identification before moving them off their farms. In addition to the scrapie identification requirement, producers must also follow new U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations to transport sheep or goats across state lines, according to a Penn State Extension educator.
“Animals transported within Pennsylvania aren’t required to have a certificate of veterinary inspection unless they are going to exhibition,” said Melanie Barkley, livestock extension educator based in Bedford County. “However, if sheep or goats cross state lines they must have either a certificate of veterinary inspection — often referred to as a CVI — or an owner/hauler statement.”
Regulations for sheep and goats that cross state lines for exhibition or sale to new owners for breeding purposes have not changed. Animals must be identified with an official scrapie identification method and be accompanied by a CVI, Barkley noted.
The new USDA regulations now allow animals crossing state lines and being sold for meat production to be accompanied by an owner/hauler statement in lieu of the CVI. In addition, the animals still must meet official scrapie identification requirements.
The owner/hauler statement is a signed statement by the owner or hauler that includes the following information:
– Name, address and phone number of owner and hauler, if different from owner.
– Date the animals were moved.
– Official premises ID. For example, PA1234.
– If individual animals have not been identified, the group should have a group/lot identification. This can be the premises ID with a hyphen and the date of movement. For example, PA1234-03302020.
– Number of animals.
– Species, breed. If unknown, use face color for sheep and designate milk, fiber or meat for goats, and class of animals — meat, fiber or dairy.
– Name and address of point of origin if different from owner’s address.
– Name and address of destination for the animals.
– A statement specifying that animals are for slaughter only.
– Signature of either owner or hauler.
A copy of the owner/hauler statement should be kept along with other sales records required by the scrapie eradication program. These records should be kept for five years and include the scrapie identification information, animal birth date, date animal was sold and buyer information (name, address and phone number).
“Cooperation among sheep and goat producers to identify animals and transport them within federal guidelines is critical to reach the goal of a scrapie-free status for the United States,” said Barkley. “This will open export options and could increase the demand for American-produced lamb and goat meat.”
More information on the National Scrapie Eradication order can be found online at this website.