Source:Dudley W. Hoskins, NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 6/21/16

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced updates to the Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) standards, which are effective May 1, 2016.

A brief summary of the major updates to the program are also available on the APHIS SFCP Web page.  The basic structure of the program has not changed. There are still two categories in the SFCP: the Export Category (with Export Monitored flocks and Export Certified flocks), and the Select Category (Select Monitored flocks).  The updates address/clarify:

• Sampling requirements, advancement, and genotyping lambs/kids in genetically resistant flocks;
• Veterinary inspection of cull animals;
• Imported embryos/oocytes;
• Animals originating from Inconsistent States;
• Special circumstances involving “Lost to Inventory” and “Found Dead” animals; and

Reporting requirements for the use of milk/colostrum from a lower status flock.