(a) For purposes of the enforcement of article 5 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, and except where in conflict with the statutes of this State or with the rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner, the commissioner hereby adopts the current Federal regulation as it appears in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 79 (revised as of January 1, 2005; U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402), at pages 296-318, entitled Scrapie in Sheep and Goats. In order to meet the requirements of scrapie consistent State status, official identification in the manner described in part 79 of title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall be required for any sheep over 18 months of age and for any sheep and goats of any age upon change of ownership, unless such sheep and goats have been sold for slaughter.

(b) Copies of this regulation, as published in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are maintained in a file at the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry, 10-B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235, and are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.