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.

Feedback has been received from veterinary organisations and practices that a consistent approach to QA is preferred to ensure the same high standard across GB and to reduce the risk of price competition jeopardising quality and thereby disease control. As no structured QA scheme currently exists, effective, proportionate and affordable QA standards need to be developed which meet the needs of all concerned.

Ideally, these standards will be adopted on a voluntary basis at first, but it is likely that they will become obligatory as part of any new commercial arrangement.  Adoption of QA could be linked to added value work for vets who choose to specialise in TB control such as investigation and management of certain breakdowns, biosecurity advice and integration with herd health planning.

To facilitate this initiative further, a workshop will be held in mid-June involving stakeholder organisations, including the BVA, BCVA and RCVS, feedback from which will be published online and in future editions of the Official Veterinarian.

AHVLA has recently published TB testing procedures for OVs online and adherence to these instructions is mandatory.