department of agriculture

Division of Poultry and Animal Health

proposed

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Delaware Department of Agriculture proposes these regulations pursuant to 3 Del.C. §407(a). The proposed regulations contain general sanctions in regard to the National Scrapie Eradication Program, including at risk animals, official identification, tagging requirements, and disease reporting. These regulations are intended to more clearly define Delaware’s role in the National Scrapie Eradication Program. The proposed regulations will be considered at a public hearing scheduled for March 30, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. at the Delaware Department of Agriculture Building, Conference Room #1. Copies of the proposed regulations may be obtained from the State Veterinarian’s office. Comments may be submitted in writing to G. Robert Moore, on or before 1:00 p.m. on March 30, 2006 and/or in person at the hearing. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is located at 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 and the phone number is 302-698-4500.

902 Scrapie Regulations

1.0 Purpose

Delaware Department of Agriculture Scrapie Disease Regulations to qualify the State of Delaware as a Scrapie Consistent State under 9CFR 79.6

2.0 Authority

Title 3, Chapter 71 of the Delaware Code:

3.0 Definitions:

“Animal” means a sheep or goat.

“Department” means the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

“High Risk Animal” means any genetically susceptible exposed animal; female offspring of a scrapie positive animal and any female that poses a risk based on the epidemiology of the flock.

“Low Risk Goat” is a goat that is not scrapie positive, not suspect, not high risk, not exposed, or commingled with sheep; and from an area flock with no history of scrapie.

“Scrapie Positive Animal” is an animal for which a diagnosis of scrapie has been made by a laboratory approved by the Department and the USDA.

“Scrapie Suspect Animal” is a sheep or goat suspected of having scrapie by an accredited veterinarian or a Department or USDA, APHIS, VS representative.

“Official Identification” is an identification mark or device approved by the USDA and the Department; this may be eartag, tattoo, brand, or microchip. When a registration tattoo is used for identification, the registration paper must accompany the animal.

“Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist” means a state or federal veterinarian with knowledge of scrapie epidemiology selected to coordinate and evaluate the scrapie eradication program.

“Scrapie Exposed” is any animal that has been with a scrapie positive female animal or resided in an infected source flock.

“CVI” is a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

4.0 Scrapie Import Requirements for Sheep and Goats.

4.1 All animals must be identified on an official certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian; the certificate shall include a statement that “this flock has been inspected and found to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases and that there has been no cases of scrapie in this flock or herd during the past year”.

4.2 Delaware is included in the National Scrapie Eradication Program. All eligible animals must have an official scrapie identification.

4.3 The following animals are exempt from official scrapie identification:

4.3.1 Sheep and goat wethers.

4.3.2 Slaughter goats.

4.3.3 Slaughter goats under 18 months of age.

4.3 No sheep or goat may be removed from slaughter channels unless it is identified to the flock of birth and the animal is not scrapie-exposed or from an infected or source flock, and is from a scrapie consistent state.

4.4 An animal must have official scrapie identification upon transfer of ownership, when first commingling or interstate commerce occurs, or before joining with animals within the state but, from a different flock.

4.5 Scrapie is a reportable disease in the State of Delaware.

4.5.1 State animal health officials shall be notified, by the flock owner or veterinarian, within 24 hours when a clinically suspicious animal or test is found. State officials will notify the Area VS office of a suspicious animal.

4.5.2 When a clinical or test suspect, or test positive animal is found, the animal and entire flock will be placed under quarantine until the status of the animal is determined. The suspect animal(s) must be officially identified under the direction of a State or Federal representative. Owners must allow the collection and submission of tissues from all scrapie-suspect animals to a laboratory authorized by USDA, APHIS, VS to conduct scrapie tests. If the suspect animal is euthanized, after diagnostic tissues are collected, the carcass must be completely destroyed under the supervision of State or Federal officials.