Dear Sheep and Goat Producers:

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats.  It is among a number of diseases classified as transmissable spongiform encephalopahties (TSE's).  In order to effectively eradicate Scrapie from the sheep and goat herds in the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented the Accelerated Scrapie Eradication Program in 2002.

Kentucky is considered a consistent state within the Scrapie Eradication Program, which means that we have met the guidelines set forth by the USDA to control and eradicate Scrapie.  In order for Kentucky to maintain its consistent status, the regulations requiring the use of official Scrapie identification upon change of ownership have been implemented.

Effective July 1, 2008, all sheep and goats must be identified with a Scrapie animal ID ear tag or other official individual animal ID prior to being unloaded at the point of sale.

The Office of State Veterinarian and Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion continue to encourage producers to secure the ear tags and present their animals at the livestock market already tagged.  These eartags should never be removed from the animal or replaced with a different or new ear tag.  Scrapie ear tags are provided by the USDA free of charge at this time and are official animal identification tags.  If you do not have Scrapie tags, please follow the steps below:

*  Contact USDA APHIS VS office at (502) 227-9651.

*  Fill out a premises registration form and Scrapie tag order form.

*  Return the form to an Animal Health Inspector at the livestock market OR mail to the address on the form.

*Animals originating from states other than Kentucky must be identified with their state's Scrapie tag prior to entering Kentucky.  Contact your state's APHIS/USDA office to order Scrapie tags.

For questions or more information please contact Tess Caudill at (502) 564-4983 or Dr. Sue Billings at (502) 564-3956.