APHIS says plastic sheep tags not free

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Monday, Oct. 16 that it will no longer provide plastic scrapie ear tags to sheep and goat producers free of charge. Both metal and plastic ear tags were provided to producers since fiscal year 2002 in the effort to eradicate scrapie, a degenerative prion disease, from the domestic flock. The funding that provided this opportunity has since run out. APHIS is still providing the metal ear tags free of charge, but plastic tags and applicators for both types of tags must be purchased. Producers seeking premises identification number and Flock ID related to scrapie tags should call 1-866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824), or visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/scrapie-tags.