Learn about the requirements for moving goats into, out of and within Florida.
While currently not in Florida, New World screwworm (NWS), has been detected in the United States. An NWS Certificate of Animal Movement with prior permission number is required for all warm-blooded animals originating from Infested Zones. For a list of NWS-affected states and the additional interstate import requirements, please visit www.FDACS.gov/nws.
Livestock requiring a prior permission number for routine interstate import into the state of Florida must obtain a species-specific permit in addition to an NWS permit (if required).
All goats moved intrastate or interstate for any purpose must be officially identified to their flock/herd of birth.
Only U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)-approved methods of goat identification, as listed in the Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules [ Adobe PDF Document ], may be used. Approved scrapie identification must:
Approved methods of identification include:
Goats moving within Florida must meet the scrapie identification requirements described above. Goats originating from Florida and presented for exhibition at public annual fairs permitted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (as defined by Chapter 616, Florida Statutes) must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) dated not more than 90 days before the exhibition.
Goats imported into Florida must meet the scrapie identification requirements described above. In addition, all goats imported into Florida, except those consigned to slaughter, must be accompanied by a health certificate dated not more than 30 days before import. The health certificate must include the official individual identification of each animal and the following statement: Each goat or sheep is free of the clinical signs of the diseases: caseous lymphadenitis, contagious ecthyma (Orf), chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis, scabies, scrapie and contagious foot rot.
A prior permission number is required for all goats originating from vesicular stomatitis-affected states under USDA APHIS or state quarantine, and the prior permission number must be written on the health certificate. The prior permission number can be obtained by completing our online application. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, our office may be reached at (850) 410-0900 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scrapie tags may be obtained by contacting the USDA at 1-866-873-2824. Additional information on USDA APHIS movement requirements may be found on the USDA's website: USDA APHIS National Scrapie Eradication Program [ Adobe PDF Document ] and USDA APHIS Educational Materials
Goats consigned directly to slaughter are not required to have a health certificate but do require:
Goats consigned to slaughter must be moved directly to a recognized slaughter establishment without stopping or unloading at other livestock facilities while enroute.
Dairy goats 6 months of age or older must originate from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd or have had a negative caudal fold tuberculosis test within 90 days before importation. If originating from an accredited tuberculosis-free herd, the herd accreditation number and date of last herd accreditation test, within the previous 12 months, must be written on the health certificate.
Dairy goats 6 months of age or older must originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd or have had a negative brucellosis test within 90 days before importation. If originating from a certified brucellosis-free herd, the herd certification number and date of the last herd certification test within the previous 12 months must be written on the health certificate.
There are no tuberculosis or brucellosis test requirements for meat-type or pygmy goats.
Goats for exhibition must be accompanied by a health certificate completed within 30 days and documenting each animal's official identification before the exhibition.
All dairy goats imported into the state for exhibition purposes for no more than 30 days are exempted from the import testing requirements in Section 5C-3.005(4), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), provided:
Visit our International Animal Movement Requirements webpage or the USDA website for international import and export requirements.
