Health requirements for admitting Domestic Goats into California
Current Health Requirements
To Protect the Health of Our Livestock,
-
Interstate Livestock Entry Permit. Prior to
entering California, all goats require a permit from the Animal
Health Branch, valid for 15 days. The owner’s name, physical
address and telephone number are required. Call
916–651–6278 for permits.
Exception:- Goats less than 18 months of age in slaughter channels* that are not pregnant and have not kidded or aborted.
- Low risk commercial goats.**
-
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). A CVI
is required for all sexually intact breeding Goats. The owner must
state on the certificate: “The animals are not
scrapie–positive, scrapie–suspect, or from a
non–compliant flock.”
Exceptions:- Goats in slaughter channels*
- Goats moving for grazing without change of ownership.
- Low risk commercial goats.
-
Official Identification. All goats require one of
the following:
- An identification ear tag approved by the USDA and CDFA as sufficiently tamper–resistant for the intended use and providing unique identification for each animal.
- Registration tattoo or electronic identification when accompanied by registration papers that include the tattoo or electronic ID number as appropriate. If using the electronic ID, the owner must have a functioning reader.
- Non–registered goats may use USDA issued premises ID tattoos beginning with the two digit state code, for example CA.
- Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program Identification (SFCP) ear tags, tattoos or electronic ID (Owner must carry a functioning reader).
-
Official USDA ear tags.
Exceptions:- Goats less than 18 months of age in slaughter channels* that are not pregnant and have not kidded or aborted
- Low risk commercial goats **
- Castrated goats less than 18 months of age that are not for exhibition
- Goats moving for grazing without change of ownership.
NOTE: Official ear tags can be obtained through USDA at
916–854–3900 or toll free 1–866–USDA–TAG
(1–866–873–2824).
All goats changing ownership in California require official ID, except:
- Animals less than 18 months of age in slaughter channels* that are not pregnant and have not kidded or aborted.
- Castrated animals less than 18 months of age that are not for exhibition.
*Slaughter channels: goats moving directly to a state or federally
approved slaughter facility.
**Low risk commercial goat: has NEVER commingled with sheep, is not
scrapie–positive, suspect or been exposed to scrapie and comes
from a state not considered high risk for goats. Registered goats and
goats for exhibition are NOT low risk goats. (Updated August
2006)
(English
PDF 276 KB) (Spanish
PDF 46 KB)
Additional Information:
Link to CDFA Animal
Health Scrapie page
http://animalagriculture.org/scrapie/Scrapie.htm
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/scrapie/
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov