What is the SFCP? The SFCP is a national flock/herd scrapie risk management program for the Canadian sheep and goat industries and is available to any sheep or goat producer who agrees to meet the requirements of the program. The primary benefit to participating producers is the individual risk protection against scrapie in their flock/herd. Over time, producers will have their flock/herd recognized as being at a much lower risk for scrapie than the rest of the farms in the national herd. This recognition can increase trade opportunities within Canada. The long term goal of the SFCP is to eradicate scrapie from the national flock and herd and to help open up market access for export.
SFCP National Standards were developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with the sheep and goat industries, as the basis for Canada’s on-farm, voluntary scrapie control program. It is intended to be a long-term, internationally recognized flock/herd scrapie control program. This program is unique as a CFIA approved disease control strategy. The CFIA only provides a guiding hand in ensuring that the program retains key requirements to meet international standards. The day-to-day management and verification is placed in the hands of industry. Once shown to be effective in mitigating the risk of disease, the SFCP may be used as a template for other industry-led TSE control programs.
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Given the nature of scrapie (see What is Scrapie?), infection in a flock/herd may go undetected for many years. As well, with no reliable live animal test for detecting the disease in individual animals, one-time testing and eradication is not possible. Working with these restrictions, the SFCP is designed to gradually assess whether flocks/herds are currently infected and to minimize the risk of contracting scrapie in the future. Flocks/herds advance through the various levels of the program as the risk of scrapie infection decreases.
The Scrapie Flock Certification Program is modeled after OIE standards. The program includes seven levels (E, D, C, B A, certified, and certified plus). With the entry level being level E and the highest level being certified plus. Advancement through each level from E to certified occurs annually if all program requirements are met. Once certified status is achieved, the producer makes an annual request to maintain certified status for their herd/flock or, once the additional requirements are met, the producer may make a request for advancement to the certified plus level.
To attain certified plus status a flock/herd must have been enrolled for a minimum of 7 years with a minimum of 30 animals scrapie tested or the equivalent, as set out in the National Standards. Certified Plus Status is considered equivalent to USDA SFCP Export Certified Status.
For details regarding the program:
See SFCP National Standards/RulesOver time, producers will have their flock/herd recognized as being at a much lower risk for scrapie than the rest of the farms in the national herd. The long term goal of this program is to eradicate scrapie and to help open up market access domestically and internationally. Short term benefits include:
