Goat Movement Requirements

Scrapie Identification Requirements

All goats moved intrastate or interstate for any purpose must be officially identified to their flock/herd of birth.

Only U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)-approved methods of goat identification, as listed in the Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, may be used. Approved scrapie identification must:

• Be permanent or tamper-evident,
• Be secured to the animal, and
• Display a unique premises and individual animal number traceable to flock/herd of birth or flock/herd of origin.

Approved methods of identification include:

• Official USDA APHIS Veterinary Service ear tags
• Premises identification tattoos
  • Tattoos must be legible and contain the flock/herd number and unique animal number.
  • Tattoos must be accompanied by either an official breed registration certificate or a health certificate that includes the corresponding official registration number.
• Electronic microchip/implant
  • Microchip/implant must be accompanied by owner statement of ID numbers and chip manufacturer. The owner should have a chip reader for verification of placement.

Intrastate (Movement Within Florida)

Goats moving within Florida must meet the scrapie identification requirements described above. Goats originating from Florida and presented for exhibition must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) dated not more than 90 days before the exhibition.

Interstate (Movement Between States)

Goats imported into Florida must meet the scrapie identification requirements described above. In addition, all goats imported into Florida, except those consigned to slaughter, must be accompanied by a health certificate dated not more than 30 days before import.

The health certificate must include the official individual identification of each animal and following statement: Each goat or sheep is free of the clinical signs of the diseases: caseous lymphadenitis, contagious ecthyma (Orf), chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis, scabies, scrapie and contagious foot rot.

A prior permission number is required for all goats originating from vesicular stomatitis-affected states under USDA APHIS or state quarantine. The prior permission number can be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) at (850) 410-0900, and must be written on the health certificate.

Scrapie tags may be obtained by contacting Abram Lewis with the USDA by calling 1-866-873-2824. Additional information on USDA APHIS movement requirements may be found on the USDA's website: Interstate Movement of Cattle, Horses, Swine, Sheep and Goats.

Goats Consigned to Slaughter

Goats consigned to slaughter are not required to have a health certificate but do require:

• Owner-shipper statement indicating evidence of ownership or authority to transport the animals, which must include the name and address of the owner or origin and the name and address of the destination, and
• Official identification.

Goats consigned to slaughter must be moved directly to a recognized slaughter establishment without stopping or unloading at other livestock facilities while en route.

Testing Requirements for Dairy Goats

Dairy goats 6 months of age or older must originate from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd or have had a negative caudal fold tuberculosis test within 90 days before importation. If originating from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd, the herd accreditation number and date of last herd accreditation test, within the previous 12 months, must be written on the health certificate.

Dairy goats 6 months of age or older must originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd, or have had a negative brucellosis test within 90 days before importation. If originating from a certified brucellosis-free herd, the herd certification number and date of the last herd certification test within the previous 12 months must be written on the health certificate.

There are no tuberculosis or brucellosis test requirements for meat-type, companion or pygmy goats.

Goats Imported into Florida for Exhibition

Goats for exhibition must be accompanied by a health certificate completed within 30 days before the exhibition.

All dairy goats for exhibition 6 months of age or older must originate from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd, or have had a negative caudal fold tuberculosis test within 90 days prior to exhibition. When originating from accredited tuberculosis-free herds, the health certificate must show the accredited herd number and the date of the last herd accreditation test.

All dairy goats for exhibition 6 months of age or older must originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd, or have had a negative brucellosis test within 90 days prior to exhibition. When originating from a certified brucellosis-free herd, the health certificate must show the certified herd number and the date of the last herd certification test.

International (Movement to or from Foreign Countries)

Visit our International Animal Movement Requirements webpage or the USDA website for international import and export requirements.