Convince the UK to allow (Guernsey) goat semen export if it complies with US regulation!

A few Golden Guernsey goats were brought to the US in 1996.  The breed is CRITICALLY genetically bottle necked due to the next 25 years of import restrictions, but their popularity is increasing exponentially.  They are known for their sweet character, beauty and quality milk - see www.ggboa.org   The King and Queen of England recognized them as exceptional by titling them the Royal Golden Guernsey this year, the first time in recent history the royal title has been conferred to a livestock breed.  They have become the most registered goat in England, and the American Dairy Goat Association is now officially registering them, but they are still endangered and desperately need improved genetics.  

We currently have what is likely to be a one off opportunity to keep this amazing breed viable by feeding a little more diversity into the gene pool.  There are 3 Golden Guernsey bucks in England who have completed the months of quarantine and disease testing required by the US for semen import.  They could be ready for collection at an export facility by January 13 2025.   However, they will not be allowed to enter the facility due to an outdated clause in the DEFRA paperwork requiring that the bucks be 7 years into a scrapies monitoring scheme.  That is NOT required for donors of semen going to Australia, or required by the US.    We believe the USDA should insist that DEFRA put our animals on an equal footing with those going to Australia and allow us to import semen.  

The USDA should ask the UK Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to allow goats to enter semen collection for export facilities, if they meet the US requirements for semen import and have the same health status as is required for other animals entering those facilities.  If action is not taken urgently, the opportunity may be lost to keep Guernsey goats genetically viable in the USA.