INFORMATION FOR IMPORTERS OF SHEEP/ GOAT EMBRYOS AND OOCYTES FROM 

THE UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND) 

(Last Updated November 2022). 

The importer should be aware of the requirements in the United States once the permit application is 

approved and the sheep/goat embryos/oocytes are imported from the regions noted above: 

1. Sheep and goat in-vivo derived embryos or oocytes may only be imported:

• For transfer to recipient females in the U.S. if the flock or herd where the

recipients reside is listed in the National Scrapie Database; or

• To an APHIS-approved embryo storage facility where they may be kept until

being transferred to recipient females in a flock or herd in the U.S. listed in the APHIS 

National Scrapie Database.

2. Embryos and oocytes may only be delivered to this premises, as listed on the import permit.

3. Proof of premise registration must accompany the imported embryo/oocyte shipment and

be submitted at the time of permit application.

• Acceptable documentation that the embryo storage facility premises or destination

farm premises registration is in the Surveillance Collaborative System Scrapie (SCS

SCR) include:

• A written document that has the premise identification number of the

embryo storage facility or destination farm as reflected in the SCS SCR. This 

may be a signed letter on letterhead stationery from the embryo storage

company with the information, or

• A copy of a USDA APHIS form or letter with this information (the

company’s name and address, and the premise identification number and that 

it is an embryo storage facility or if going directly to the destination farm the 

owner’s name and address and premise identification number.) or similar 

official document with this information, or

• A screen shot of such documentation from SCS that contains all the needed

information and is clearly readable/ reproducible.

• Copies of the documents should be obtainable through the embryo storage facility/

destination farm or the regional USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) FiOps (Field

Operations) District Office in the state where the facility/farm is located:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/contacts/field-operations-districts.pdf

4. The import permittee (or designated agent) must notify USDA APHIS VS FiOps District Office

in writing or by email within 10 (ten) business days confirming the shipment of embryos/oocytes

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

5. The imported embryos/oocytes may only be further distributed after importation, if moved to

another premises with a premise identification and flock identification recorded in the SCS SCR,

with prior written notification to the APHIS VS FiOps District Office in the state where the

original receiving premises is located. This movement must be reviewed and approved by

APHIS.

6. The importer of record, or their designated agent, must inform all secondary recipients, in writing,

of the necessary guidelines for use of the imported embryos/oocytes, the required record keeping
and identification, and provide a copy of the import permit as reference.

7. All facilities listed as the importer of record that disperse the imported embryos/oocytes must 

also inform any other recipient facilities, in writing, of the necessary guidelines for use of the

imported embryos/oocytes, the required record keeping and identification, and provide a copy 

of the import permit as reference.

8. Secondary recipients, and any other facility receiving the imported embryos/oocytes must 

notify the USDA APHIS VS FiOps District Office in their state in writing or by email within

10 (ten) business days confirming the shipment of embryos/oocytes 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/fieldoperations-districts.pdf

9. Secondary recipients, and any other facility receiving the imported embryos/oocytes must 

follow the guidelines in items 5, 6, 7 and 8 for any further distribution of the imported 

embryos/oocytes.

10. Again, all flocks receiving the embryos/oocytes must have flock ID and premises ID assigned 

and recorded in the National Scrapie Database (SCS SCR) (flock owners should call 866-

USDA-TAG if they do not already have a premise/flock ID to get one). The producer must have 

a premises ID and a flock ID assigned in the SCS SCR; however, they do not have to be

enrolled in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP).

11. The importer, the owner of a recipient flock or herd where delivery of the embryos or oocytes is 

made, or the owner of an APHIS-approved embryo or oocyte storage facility must maintain 

records of the disposition (including destruction) of imported or stored embryos or oocytes for 5 

years after the embryo or oocyte is transferred or destroyed. These records must be made 

available during normal business hours to APHIS representatives on request for review and 

copying.

12. The owner of all sheep or goats resulting from embryos or oocytes imported under this section 

shall:

• Identify them at birth with a permanent official identification number consistent with 

the provisions of the USDA Scrapie Program; such identification may not be removed 

except at slaughter and must be replaced if lost;

• Maintain a record linking the official identification number of the animal resulting 

from the imported embryo or oocyte to the imported embryo or oocyte 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. 

These requirements do not affect the collection of the donor animals or the exporter; they only concern 

the long-term tracing of the imported embryos/oocytes in U.S. sheep/ goat flocks and the resulting 

progeny. The importer will need to plan on the paperwork required for this type of import, making sure 

records will be maintained as directed, all premises holding or using the embryos/oocytes are registered, 

the resulting progeny are identified as required, and records of the sale/ transfer of all progeny are 

maintained.