Latest news

Latest news is now available on the Vet Gateway home page.

Defra announces new measures to help tackle bovine TB
Published 16 June 2014

Enhanced management of persistent TB herds
Published 3 February 2014

Online TB test submissions – ‘not tested’ categories
Published 7 January 2014

Consultation on proposals to reform training, appointment and assurance of Official Veterinarians extended until 31 October 2013
Published 16 October 2013

Public consultation on Official Veterinarian training, authorisation and assurance
Published 9 October 2013

AHVLA announces new model for supply of veterinary services
AHVLA has announced plans to modernise its relationship with suppliers of veterinary services in order to ensure the delivery of animal health and welfare policies in a way which is demonstrably more effective and efficient in meeting the needs of the taxpayer, the farmed livestock industry and the veterinary profession.

Withdrawal of VeBus and continuing rollout of Sam to OV practices
From 1 April 2013 access to the AHVLA’s Veterinary e-Business System (VeBus) will be withdrawn. This means practices using VeBus will no longer be able to use the system to view work, submit TB test results or view historical information.

Submission of samples to diagnostic laboratories
When you send diagnostic samples to laboratories, e.g. for Brucella investigations, you must comply with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations and assign the correct United Nations (UN) number.

Update on TB testing and procurement
The joint statement issued by AHVLA, BVA and BCVA, following a recent meeting between the three organisations, acknowledges that future policy requirements for procurement of TB testing remain unclear.

Release of Official Veterinarian instructions for the export of animal and animal products
AHVLA has published a set of instructions for Official Veterinarians (OV) on the export of animals and animal products.

AHVLA holds stakeholder workshop on quality assurance of tuberculin testing
Following a meeting in May with BVA and BCVA to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, AHVLA held a workshop at Bristol University Veterinary School on 14 June to address feedback that there is a need for robust and consistent TB test quality assurance.

Changes to European rules on Bluetongue vaccination
Recent amendments to the EU Bluetongue Directive will make the rules on vaccination, particularly for the use of inactivated vaccines, more flexible in the near future.

Quality assurance of tuberculin testing: Developing a QA protocol
Tuberculin testing for the presence of tuberculosis in cattle is the primary surveillance tool for the disease and accurate application in the field is crucial to the eventual success of the TB programmes which AHVLA delivers on behalf of Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government. Quality assurance (QA) of TB testing is therefore an essential aspect of whatever procurement exercise may be run to regularise the commercial aspects of TB testing.

AHVLA/BVA/BCVA joint statement on issues of mutual interest
A joint statement has been issued by AHVLA, BVA and BCVA following a recent meeting between the three organisations

The Health & Safety of OVs
Responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of employees rests firmly with employer and for work performed in the capacity of an Official Veterinarian that means the employing practice.

Release of Official Veterinarian instructions for tuberculosis testing
AHVLA has been working with a group of OVs, including representatives from the RCVS, BCVA and BVA, to produce a set of instructions for OVs on tuberculosis testing in cattle. Following a review cycle and a number of workshops the final set of instructions have now been signed off.

Field audits planned of tuberculin testing in Wales
For a five to six week period from early March, veterinary staff from AHVLA will be carrying out field audits of tuberculin testing conducted by Official Veterinarians (OVs) in Wales.

Update on TB testing and procurement options
Feedback from AHVLA’s engagement with stakeholders in autumn 2011 has been used to help shape the further development of procurement options for TB testing services in England.

Official Veterinarian newsletter published
The December 2011 edition of the Official Veterinarian newsletter is available

AHVLA publishes stakeholder feedback on proposals for competitive tendering for TB testing services in England and the development of veterinary partnerships
Between September and October the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) sought views from private veterinary practitioners and the farming industry on proposals for competitive tendering for TB testing services in England and the development of veterinary partnerships.

Sam go live update
AHVLA is due to roll out a new part of its Sam IT system that will enable OVs to submit TB test results electronically, replacing the current VeBus system and paper-based processes.

Using the Sam IT system to manage TB testing
AHVLA is currently testing new functionality in its Sam IT system that will enable OVs to submit TB test results electronically, replacing the current VeBus system and paper-based processes.

Risk based routine skin testing for Bovine Tuberculosis in Scotland
Adjustments are being made to routine herd testing for bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Scotland as the second anniversary of official TB freedom (OTF) is reached.

AHVLA proposed approach to competitive tendering for TB testing services in England and developing veterinary partnerships
Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency’s (AHVLA) proposed approach to competitive tendering for TB testing services in England is now available in the form of presentation material on the OV section of the AHVLA website.

DNA capture eartagging for TB reactor cattle
DNA eartagging for TB reactor cattle came into force on the 1st August 2011.

Working in partnership with private veterinary practitioners
Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has begun to develop a more collaborative and strategic approach to working with private veterinary practitioners.

The Brucellosis sample submission page has been updated
VeBus will soon no longer be used for Brucellosis work

New Pet Travel Scheme Rules from 1 January 2012
From 1 January 2012 the rules for pets entering the country under the Pet Travel Scheme will change as the UK aligns its Scheme with the EU-wide pet movement system (EU Regulation 998/2003).

Bluetongue Restrictions to be Lifted
Great Britain’s bluetongue disease status will change from its current Bluetongue 8 Low Risk Zone to that of Free from Bluetongue (without vaccination) with effect from 5 July 2011.

Merger of Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
On 1 April 2011, Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) merged to form a new executive agency, to be known as the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA)

Tagging for TB Positive Cattle
Instructions have been issued to OVs in respect of the permanent marking of bovine TB reactors using DNA tags. These instructions will need to be followed by all OVs who undertake tuberculosis testing of bovine animals on premises in England and Wales.

Tail Docking of Dairy Cattle in the UK
Official Veterinarians are being asked to report any incidences of dairy cattle with docked tails, after a number of cases involving this practice were brought to the attention of AHVLA.

Avoiding Infections During Farm Visits
Revised guidance has been published to help those visiting farms avoid infections

New Strain of MRSA Identified in Cattle and Humans
AHVLA was part of a study, led by Cambridge University, which has identified a new strain of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Sam OV support

For queries about using Sam or the initial registration process please contact the Sam support desk on:

0870 242 4996

ahvlasupport@uk.ibm.com