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National Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program Standards Revised
Livestock Update, May 1998
Scott P. Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Virginia Tech
New standards have been provided for the national Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (VSFCP) to make the program more applicable for producers. These changes include the approval of tamper resistant ear tags that may be used for identification as well as electronic identification and tattoo. Two categories of monitoring have been established- complete and selective. The complete monitoring program puts flocks into a monitored status for a minimum of five years, then they can become Certified. Other changes in the program allow certified flocks to purchase rams from other certified or enrolled (a complete monitored flock that has been participating in the program but has not yet received certified status) flock, making breeding stock acquisition much easier for enrolled producers. The selective monitored category is primarily for large commercial flocks and requires identification of all rams, yearly inspection, and monitoring of cull ewes. These changes have made the program more user-friendly, and make the program more practical for the industry.