----- Original Message -----
From: "Kellye Bussey" <ktbussey@...>
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<misenertrucking@...>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2001 2:15 PM
Subject: Scrapie Eradication Program


> As some of you may know by now, if you are on any of the goat e-mail
lists,
> the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program goes into effect on November 19th.
> This program was designed to identify and trace sheep and goats who are
> infected with Scrapie in the US. Even tho there have only been 7 cases of
> goats infected with Scrapie in the US in the last 10 years, goats are
> included in this program.
> Federal regulations dictate that the following goats must be indentified:
> Sexually intact registered goats and goats used primarily for milk
> production moving or sold for breeding or exhibition. (That means goat
shows
> folks!) Note: registration tatoos are acceptable ID when the goats are
> accompanied by their registration certificate.
> At a minimum, each state must comply with the federal guidlines, but may
> impose stricter regulations if they chose. In the case of Texas, this may
> indeed be the case. Several phone calls to the Texas Animal Health
> Commission by myself and others have indicated Texas will NOT accept
> registry tatoos - our show goats and any breeding goat that we sell off
our
> property WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A SCRAPIE TAG IN ITS EAR!
> I don't know about yal, but the thought of having to ear tag our beautiful
> dairy goats and miniature goats, Nigerian and Pygmy, just makes me sick.
> These animals do not run through the "slaughter channels" that the meat
and
> fiber breeds run through, and indeed are mostly family pets, milkers,
hobby
> and show animals.
> We still may have a chance to have our dairy and/or miniature goats
exempted
> from the ear tag requirement. There is a meeting in Austin tomorrow
morning
> of the TAHC, and the scrapie program is #18 on the docket. I, Valerie
> Ciesnyski, Jeff Klein and the Kowaliks are driving to Austin to attend
this
> meeting and make our views known. I encourage any of the TCC club members
> who don't want to be forced to tag their show goats, breeding stock, kids
> and pets to attend this meeting if they can. If not, please write a letter
> expressing your legitimate concerns over this issue and e-mail it to me
and
> I will take these letters with me to Austin tomorrow. The more
> representation we have at this meeting the better.
> Thanks for your time,
>
> Kellye Bussey
> VP, Texas Caprine Club
> and owner of a whole herd of miniature dairy goats who don't want their
ears
> pierced!!!!
>
>