April 2022

INFORMATION FOR IMPORTERS OF SHEEP/ GOAT SEMEN FROM CANADA, ICELAND, THE UNITED 

KINGDOM AND MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (updated April 2022).

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

and the SHEEP/ GOAT semen from these regions is imported:

1. The semen holding facility/ destination farm must have a premises ID assigned and recorded in

Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR).

2. Semen may only be delivered to this premises, as listed on the import permit. Proof of current 

registration must accompany the imported semen shipment and be submitted at the time of 

application.

3. Some type of documentation from the semen storage facility or destination farm with the current SCS 

SCR premise identification number would be sufficient. This may be a signed letter on letterhead 

stationery from the company with the information, a copy of a USDA APHIS form or letter with this 

information (the company, the premise identification, etc.) or similar official document with this 

information. If a screen shot of such documentation from SCS contains all the needed information and is 

clearly readable/ reproducible, it would also be appropriate.

4. Copies of the documents should be obtainable through the semen storage facility/ destination farm or the

regional USDA APHIS Veterinary Services FiOps (Field Operations) District office in the state where the 

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

5. 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 semen 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-operationsdistricts.pdf

6. The imported semen may only be further distributed after importation if it is moved to another premises

with a current premises identification and flock identification recorded in the Surveillance Collaborative 

System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) with prior written notification to the APHIS Veterinary Services FiOps District 

office in the state where the original receiving premises is located.

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

necessary guidelines for use of this imported semen, the required record keeping, and provide a copy of

the original import permit as reference.

8. All facilities listed as the importer of record dispersing the imported semen must also inform any 

other recipient facilities, in writing, of the necessary guidelines for use of this imported semen, the

required record keeping, and provide a copy of the import permit as reference.

9. Secondary recipients, and any other facility receiving this imported semen, must notify the USDA APHIS 

VS FiOps state district office in their state in writing or by email within 10 (ten) business days confirming

the shipment of semen 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

10. Secondary recipients, and any other facility receiving this imported semen must follow the guidelines in

sections 6, 7 and 8 for any further distribution of the imported semen.
April 2022

11. Again, all of the flocks receiving the semen must have flock ID and premises IDs assigned and recorded in

Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR). Premise/flock owners should call 866-USDA-TAG if

they do not already have a premise/flock ID to obtain one. The producer must have a premises record 

and a flock number assigned in the National Scrapie database (SCS-Scrapie); however, they do not have 

to be enrolled in SFCP.

12. The importer, the owner of a recipient flock or herd where delivery of the semen is made, or the owner 

of an APHIS-approved semen storage facility must maintain records of the disposition (including 

destruction) of imported or stored semen for 5 years after the semen is transferred or destroyed. These 

records must be made available during normal business hours to APHIS representatives on request for 

review and copying.

13. The owner of all sheep or goats (first generation (F1) progeny) resulting from semen 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 to the imported semen, 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.

This does not affect the collection of the donor animals in the country of origin or the exporter; it only concerns 

the long-term tracing of the imported semen used 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 the semen or using the semen are registered, as well as the flocks 

being inseminated, the F1 progeny, and records of the sale/ transfer of any F1 progeny.