United States is Open to Canadian Sheep and Goats

United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(Previously published online: April 4, 2022)

As of this week, live-breeding sheep and goats are eligible for import into the United States from Canada.

Importers must provide supporting documentation showing the scrapie-free status of the Canadian flock of origin at the time an import permit application is submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Importers must also contact the United States port of entry at least 10 business days before the intended date of arrival. Post-entry requirements about traceback of imported animals and recordkeeping will apply.

Post-entry Requirements for Imported Live Breeding Sheep and Goats from Canada

The following provides additional details pertaining to the post-entry requirements for imported live breeding sheep and goats (for purposes other than immediate slaughter or restricted feeding for slaughter) as outlined in 9 CFR 93 and 9 CFR 98.

1. Live breeding sheep and goats may only be imported to the United States from Canada under the following conditions:
   • The importing flock premise must be listed in the Scrapie National Database; and
     • Either: The Canadian herd of origin must be of Certified Plus Status in the Canadian Scrapie Flock Certification Program;
     • Or:  If importing based on genotype, the imported animal must be a male sheep of genotype 136AA/171 RR or 136AA/171QR;
     • Or:  The import has been approved by APHIS on a case-by-case basis.

2. Live breeding sheep and goats may only be delivered to the approved premises, as listed on the import permit. Proof of premises and flock registration must accompany the imported animal shipment and be submitted at the time of permit application.
   • • Documentation from the destination farm with the Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) premises and flock identification numbers is sufficient. This may be a signed letter on letterhead stationery from the company with the information, a copy of a USDA APHIS form or letter with this information (the company/owner, the premise and flock identification, etc.) or similar official document with this information. If a screen shot of such documentation from SCS contains all the needed information and is clearly readable/ reproducible, it would also be acceptable.
     • Copies of the documents should be obtainable through the destination farm or the regional USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), District Office overseeing the state where the farm is located: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/contacts/field-operations-districts.pdf

3. The import permittee (or designated agent) must notify the USDA, APHIS, VS, District Office in writing or by email within 10 (ten) business days confirming the shipment of animals has been received at the specified destination location and provide a copy of the import permit as reference. The contact information may be located at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/contacts/field-operations-districts.pdf

4. The imported animals may only be further distributed after importation if they are moved to another premises with a premises identification and flock identification recorded in the SCS SCR with prior written notification to the APHIS, Veterinary Services, District Office in the state where the original receiving premises is located.  Any animals over 12 months of age displaying central nervous system signs or other signs of scrapie should be immediately reported to the USDA, APHIS, VS, District Office.

5. Unless moving direct to slaughter or in slaughter channels identified with an official blue slaughter only eartag and an owner hauler statement, the importer of record, or their designated agent, must inform all secondary recipients, in writing, of the necessary guidelines for use of the imported animal(s), the required record keeping, and provide a copy of the import permit as reference.

6. Secondary recipients, and any other facility receiving the imported animal(s) must notify USDA, APHIS, VS, District Office in their state in writing or by email within 10 (ten) business days confirming the shipment of animal(s) has been received at the specified destination location and provide a copy of the import permit as reference. The contact information is located at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/contacts/field-operations-districts.pdf

7. Animals imported based on genotype must have their genotype verified within 30-days after entering the United States by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), or another USDA approved laboratory. The test must be an official test. To be an official test an accredited veterinarian must collect and submit the samples to the laboratory with a correctly completed VS Form 5-29 that includes all identification on the animals, one of which must be an official ID, and the flock ID.  Laboratory results must be provided to the USDA, APHIS, VS, District Office in their state and must be reported in the Veterinary Laboratory Submission System on farm module by the laboratory.

8. NOTE: All flocks receiving imported sheep and goats must have flock ID and premises IDs assigned and recorded in Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) Premise:
   • • Flock owners should call 866-USDA-TAG to obtain a premise/flock ID, if they do not already have one.
     • The flock owner must have a premises record and a flock number assigned in the National Scrapie database (SCS-Scrapie); however, they do not have to be enrolled in Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP).

9. The importer shall maintain records of the following for a period of 5 years after the sale or death of the animal.
   • The records must include any sale, death, or other movement or placement of all imported animals including the official identification number(s) and country marks on the animals at the time of import.
   • The date and manner of disposition.
   • A record of the replacement of any lost identification devices linking the new official identification number to the lost device number.
   • The name and address of any new owner.
   • The records must be available for APHIS to view and copy during normal business hours.

10. The owner of all first-generation sheep or goat offspring born from females that were pregnant (by either natural breeding or embryo implantation) at the time of import must:
    • Identify the offspring at birth with a permanent official identification number consistent with the provisions of 9 CFR 79.2; such identification may not be removed except at slaughter and must be replaced if lost;
    • Maintain a record linking the official identification number to the imported ewe or doe, including a record of the replacement of lost tags;
    • Maintain records of any sale or disposition of such animals, including the date of sale or disposition, the name and address of the buyer, and the animal’s official identification number; and
    • Keep the required records for a period of 5 years after the sale or death of the animal. APHIS may view and copy these records during normal business hours.

For additional information, please view the following links:

• Import of live sheep, goats, and germplasm 
• Import requirements for sheep and goats from Canada