Updated 03-21-09

Premises Identification is required and your participation is "MANDATORY" not currently VOLUNTARY for the scapies program... 

It was pointed out that Florida is not mandatory NAIS yet, but the Scrapie program has BEEN rolled into NAIS.

ATTENTION GOAT AND SHEEP OWNERS

Beginning Oct. 10, Florida's agriculture officials will enforce a new rule requiring that owners of goats and sheep be able to identify the herd or flock that animals were born into. When that information is unknown, owners must be able to identify the herd or flock that animals had been in.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the rule as part of a national effort to prevent the spread of scrapie.

The disease causes the nervous system to degenerate in goats and sheep and is fatal.

State officials said only identification methods that have been approved by the U. S. Department of Agriculture can be used. The approved methods include USDA ear tags, identification tattoos, or implanted electronic microchips.

More information about the new scrapie rule, known as Administrative Code Rule 5C-29, is available from the Division of Animal Industry at (850) 410-0900 or at www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai.

This information was taken from the FL Division of Animal Industry

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/scrapie/approved-tag-co.shtml and then follow the link on Scapie

 

Scrapie Disease Information

To Order Eartags  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/scrapie/approved-tag-co.shtml

To receive official sheep and goat ear tags for interstate movement:

Call 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824) to be connected to your local Veterinary Services Area Office or State Office and request that a premises identification number and Flock ID be assigned to your flock.

• If you want to use USDA ear tags that are provided free to producers, request the number of tags that you will need for a one year period.

• If you would prefer to purchase a different kind of ear tag, contact one of the approved tag companies listed below to purchase the ear tags. Approved ear tag companies offer a wider range of colors and styles. Regular program tags are available to all producers. SFCP tags may only be used in flocks participating in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program.

• All six eartag companies are officially approved. These eartags are approved for the official identification of sheep and goats in interstate commerce.

**Note: you can NOT purchase official eartags without a PREMISES ID.