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News Release 8-29-2000 |
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West Virginia increases its involvment in Scrapie certification Program CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Commissioner of Agriculture, Gus R. Douglass, has announced that steps have been taken for West Virginia to increase its involvment in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Scrapie Certification Program. The West Virginia Scrapie Certification Board has appointed Mrs. Carol Burdette, of Charleston, W.Va., as Chairperson. This program will allow sheep flocks and goat herds to become certified when procedures are followed. "With the increased interest in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in farm animals, this is a very important economic step for sheep and goat producers," Commissioner Douglass said. Scrapie is a neurologic disease that is always fatal to animals. It is characterized by small empty spaces in the grey matter of the brain. Affected animals are excitable. They may shake uncontrollably, have a severe itch in the rump area and may gallop instead of trotting. After weight loss, weakness and an inability to walk, the animal becomes comatose and death ensues. The disease tends to follow family lines and a specific breed. Interested producers may contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Division at 304/558-2214 or the USDA at 614/469-5602. Information is available and farm visits will be made. "While the program is now voluntary, it gives producers an opportunity to be prepared when and if the program becomes mandatory," Commissioner Douglass said. "TSE is a disease whose consequences are not fully known. It is for this reason that West Virginia's agriculture must be prepared." |
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