Official Scrapie Identification

USDA-approved ear tags

Individual markets, sales, and fairs may further limit the types of official ID that they will accept for ease of handling and record keeping.

Plastic tags: 2X tamperproof tags (Allflex USA, Inc)

Plastic tags: This style is no longer available for re-order.  Producers may continue to use these tags. (Premier 1 Supplies)

Metal tags:(Hasco Tag Company)

Breed Registry Tattoos (Goats Only)

Right ear: Registered herd tattoo

Left ear: Year of birth code letter and individual animal number

• Assigned by purebred goat breed associations (e.g. American Dairy Goat Association and American Goat Society).
• These tattoos must also be registered with the Board of Animal Health.
• Valid only with a copy of the registration paper or listing the registration number & tattoos on a certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate).

Premises ID Number Tattoo (Goats Only)

Producers may request a tattoo from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to use for unregistered goats.

Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP)

Allflex Tag Company
Junior Tag	Mini Round Tags	SFCP Prem

Sheep and goats enrolled in the voluntary SFCP have either ear tags or tattoos for official ID.  Their program ID is unique animal number starting with MN (i.e. MNXX). Various colors are offered in each style of tag.

Electronic Implant Devices (EID)

(USDA:APHIS:VS Memorandum No. 557.13)
Sheep or goats registered with national associations that allow the use of electronic implants for official registry identification may use EID's as official identification in the Scrapie Eradication Program.  Please note that the following conditions must be met:

• The animals are registered with a national registry association;
• The electronic implant number is recorded by the registry on the registration certificate accompanying the animal, and the animal is accompanied by an implant reader that can read the implant in the animal;
• At exhibitions, an implant reader that can read the implant in the animal is available for use by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or State authorities;
• The movement is either for exhibition purposes or for sale, with transfer of the registration papers to a new owner who has a reader that can read the implant in the animal; and
• Any standards set by the National Animal Identification System for EID devices and scanners, shall also apply to any device implanted after implementation of those standards.

Such animals moved in interstate commerce to a market or are for sale without registration papers, must be identified with visible official identification, such as an official eartag or tattoo.