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. The instructions are aimed at panel 1a OVs who undertake tuberculin testing and are available on the OV section of the external AHVLA website.

OVs are requested to use these instructions with immediate effect and to check the website regularly to ensure they know the current tuberculin testing instructions.

The main changes in the instructions are:

  • removal of the requirement to check movement records at the test.
  • additional clarification on animal identification, actions on missing or added animals and unidentified or incorrectly identified animals during a test.
  • the requirements for measuring on day two, in particular that each injection site must be visually inspected and manually examined by careful palpation of the skin fold in the injection site area. Where there is any detectable reaction at either site, both sites must be re-measured with the same callipers used on day one.

 An online tutorial which shows how to navigate the instructions is also available on the website, and a transcript to the tuberculin training video is being developed which will provide a brief outline of how to carry out the tuberculin test in cattle.

Updates to the instructions will be communicated via the OV Instructions homepage. If you have any views on the content and navigation of the instructions please use the feedback facility which will shortly be incorporated into the pages.

AHVLA is currently working with a similar group of OVs to develop instructions for the export of animals and animal products. Consultation on these instructions closed recently and amendments will be made to the draft instructions to ensure they are fit for purpose. Once a finalised version is ready it will be released on the AHVLA website and communicated to Export OVs.