Texas outlines scrapie rules

The Texas Animal Health Commission has issued a brochure outlining state and federal scrapie requirements for identifying sheep and goats.

Beginning last November, the new rules established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture require that certain classes of sheep and goats have premise identification ear tags applied before they are moved from their farm to be sold in interstate commerce or commingled with sheep and goats from other farms.

Regulations apply to: sheep 18 months or older; any age of breeding sheep; sexually intact show or exhibition sheep and goats; goats 18 months of age or older that were commingled with sheep; and breeding goats that were commingled with sheep.

Texas requirements for intrastate movement, similar to USDA premise identification stipulations, will be presented to the Texas Animal Health Commission in February 2002. Compliance in Texas will not be mandated until April 1, 2002.

To obtain a brochure, call (800) 550-8242, ext. 710.