Rams may be acquired from any flock (other than source or infected flocks), 

 including those not enrolled in the SFCP. Presently, there is no scientific evidence 

 that supports rams as a risk for spreading scrapie. Ewes have been found to spread 

 the disease. Therefore, to maintain scrapie-free status, flock owners may obtain ewes 

 only from other enrolled flocks with an equal or older status date. Owners acquiring 

 ewes from flocks not participating in the SFCP or from flocks of lower scrapie 

 status will have their flock's status date adjusted to reflect the addition of the lowest 

 category animal. 



Complete Monitored Certified Flock — When an enrolled Hock has met SFCP standards 

 for 5 consecutive years, it advances to certified status. Sheep from these flocks are 

 unlikely to be infected with scrapie. Flocks in this status may be augmented with rams 

 from other certified flocks or enrolled flocks, llioui;!! rams present minimal lisk cif 

 spreading scrapie, APHIS reconimeiKls that producers consider the risk ol scrapie 

 infection when purchasing rams from lesser status flocks. Ewes may he purchased 

 only from other certified flocks. RcUh enrolled and certitied flocks are inspected 

 annually by State or Federal res^ulatoi}' personnel. 1 K>i.ks ol both statuses ma\' also 

 loan out rams tor breeding without leopardi/ini^ their status date. Rams must reside 

 in the program flock other than lor breeding purposes and cannot be lu)used with 

 ewes 30 days before and 60 days alter lambing. 



Selective Monitored Category — This category is open to an\ tlock and was designed 

 for slaughter lamb pi'oducers to allo\s lor scrapie suixeillance in large production 

 flocks. Onl\' male animals more than 1 year ot age must Ix' otliciallv identified. 

 Producers agree to submit tor scrapie diagnosis animals that are culled from the flock 

 or that die. (The number of animals to submit per year depends on the flock size.) 

 Additionally, An accredited veterinarian must inspect all cull ewes for clinical signs 

 of scrapie prior to slaughter. Selective status is maintained indefinitely as long as the 

 flock meets the category requirements. The selective monitored category flocks do 

 not progress to certified status. 



Accelerated Scrapie Eradication Program (ASEP) — The ASEP is based on the 

 loll(.)wing key concepts: 



• Identifying infected sheep before development of clinical signs, through li\'e-animal 

 testing and active slaughter surveillance; 



• Effective tracing of infected animals to their flock or herd ot origin and tracing 

 and testing of exposed animals made possible as a result ot the new identification 

 requirements; and 



• Providing effective cleanup strategies that will allow producers to stay in business, 

 preserve breeding stock, and remain economically viable. 



APHIS provides the following assistance to owners of exposed and infected flocks or 

 herds that participate in cleanup plans: 



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