USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
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For immediate release:

UPDATES PRESENTED AT USAHA SCRAPIE COMMITTEE

        GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 27, 2004 -- Updates on the cooperative state-federal scrapie 
eradication program, the slaughter surveillance program, genetic testing discrepancies, the 
scrapie generic data base, and a third-eyelid test validation study were presented to the 
USAHA Committee on Scrapie at its meeting here this week.

	The committee reviewed the Uniform Methods and Rules for the scrapie program and 
made a few minor changes.  It also asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) to review the scrapie flock certification program.  The committee further encouraged 
states to complete requirements to qualify as "consistent" states.  ("Consistent" states are 
defined as those that are complying with eradication program standards.)

	Currently, all 50 states are participating in the program to eradicate scrapie, a 
transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of sheep and goats.

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