For the second time in a few weeks I find myself crossposting something. Is everyone here up to speed on this scrapie issue. I haven't seen a post on it, but i could have missed it.

The government has come out with all kinds of new laws for monitoring scrapie. Only 98 people out of nine billion on planet earth have contracted Mad Cow Disease. So why do we all of a sudden need to keep track of every goat in the nation by requiring all these ear tags and government interference???? http://www.maverickranch.com/madcow.htm

ScrapiesGOATS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

A website that will give you more information is www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/scrapie.h

If anyone out there did not get the USDA pamphlet on the program, it has a website at

www.animalagriculture.org/scrapie

More later.

Little bit farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@farm.com), April 12, 2002

Answers

Was not able to pull up all the information you spoke about with this disease. Like you say, so few people contact this...But I guess if you are the one who did you would be concerned. The amount of tax dollars that will be spent makes you wonder though vs the amount of people worldwide. I think they should regulate the diseases, as I'm sure you are too, but maybe they are a bit radical with this and goats. It seems as though goats usually come out pretty well in the disease problems overall from cattle and sheep. Your title made me think of this: Control the food and You contol the people. We can see this with government welfare programs. Now my husband also says the government controls the families with both husband and wife working, in debt, children running wild etc. They are too busy to take a stand or disagree with the government on things because they are too busy getting further in debt. I do believe we still live in the best country. Many things not the best and too many government handouts and kick backs too. The medical programs have a lot to be desired from other countries...Canda and England. ( guess that would be another topic). But Thank You for placing this on the forum. I will continue to read from the web site you mentioned and see what I can do to get the others to run on my computer. Have a Great Day !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), April 12, 2002.

The way I read this, regarding goats, is that most will be unaffected & not required to be tagged or restricted in movement. The ones that would be affected include goats known or suspected to be diseased, goats comingled with sheep, and show animals (except whethers).

I am cynical enough to realize that things could change down the road. :)

-- Reghan (reghan@columbus.rr.com), April 12, 2002.

LOL! I thought this was a thread on ideas to control our DH's appetites for food.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/scrapie.htm

http://www.animalagriculture.org/scrapie

Sorry about cutting off the links. Here they are in proper form.

Currently all auctions within our state are being forced to tag all animals. This is forcing many smaller auctions to get out of goats all together. A few years ago most auctions in Oklahoma had to stop selling pigs because of new laws and now goats. Supposedly we will all have to tag our animals.

Ardie, if only I could control my husband with food, LOL. Just kidding.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littleBit@compworldnet.com), April 13, 2002.

"Now my husband also says the government controls the families with both husband and wife working, in debt, children running wild etc. They are too busy to take a stand or disagree with the government on things because they are too busy getting further in debt."

??????? How can the Government use personal debt, 2-job families; etc to control people when people make those choices for themselves? The government does NOT force anyone to undertake debt, work 2 jobs, live beyond their means, or fail to raise their children responsibly. The PEOPLE make these choices for themselves, of their own volition, and the fact is that there are plenty of people in this country who are NOT in debt.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), April 14, 2002.

Little Bit, have you called the 1-800 # and asked them about the regulations for goats in your state? If not, you should. I was really worried, and I called and found out that the tattoos that mine have already will work just fine. And, if you don't sell your goats, you don't have to tag them. But, if you are not registered with these people, and an outbreak occurs near you (unlikely), your herd will be eligible for indemnity. Meaning, they'll cull it.

I don't see this program as a big problem after talking to these people, they are not terribly concerned about goats unless the goats have been in contact with sheep. What I am concerned about- Johnnes. It's just a matter of time before they have to do something to stop Johnnes, and then we will have a problem.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 14, 2002.