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Some of this content has now migrated to GOV.UK. Information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/become-an-official-veterinarian-ov-or-set-up-a-new-ov-practice
TR588 Request extension or exception to OCQ requirement is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tr588-request-extension-or-exception-to-ocq-training-requirement
TB Testing Training Requirements for Veterinary Surgeons Testing Animals in Zoological Collections
For the majority of Veterinary Surgeons carrying out TB testing there is a requirement for them to be authorised as OVs under the OCQ(V) - TT qualification. There are specific circumstances however when the OCQ(V) - TT qualification and authorisation are not required for TB testing in zoological collections. To note that this only applies to a small minority of vets TB testing in zoological collections.
APHA does not normally require routine surveillance TB testing of bovine animals in zoos in GB, with the exception of domestic cattle on ‘open farms’ (where the public visit and come into contact with the animals). In general, bovine animals in zoos are isolated from agricultural (food-producing) holdings, so, providing that those animals are not slaughtered for human consumption or traded, APHA may exempt them from the requirement for statutory routine, targeted and pre-movement TB testing.
Statutory TB testing is generally instructed and paid for by government (APHA), whereas non-statutory testing is voluntary and funded by the animal keeper. There are some exceptions, such as mandatory pre- or post-movement TB testing of bovine animals (which is statutory but must be arranged and funded by the animal keeper).
APHA assess the need for statutory, targeted surveillance TB testing in non-bovine species of mammals kept in zoos on a case-by-case basis.
“Non-statutory” TB testing in zoological collections can be performed by any registered veterinarian in accordance with normal RCVS professional guidance and a specific OCQ(V) qualification is not required. However:
- Veterinary Surgeons are expected to act within their own professional competence
- Prior permission must be sought from APHA for all TB tests in animals covered by the relevant TB Order(s), whether the test is statutory or not.
- For animals not covered in the TB Orders, non-statutory TB testing can be carried out without the permission of APHA
Testing instructions for statutory tests that are issued by APHA to the OV are also the written notification of permission to test.
Examples of statutory and non-statutory TB testing of zoo animals are in the table below.
“Statutory TB testing” OCQ(V) - TT qualification is necessary to perform TB testing which is legally required under the TB order(s)(1) |
“Non-statutory TB testing” OCQ(V) - TT is not necessary for “non-statutory” TB testing(2) BUT Permission from APHA is required if testing in animals covered by the relevant TB Order(s)(1) |
| Examples: | Examples: |
| Routine active surveillance, enhanced surveillance and movement testing of any domestic bovine(2) animals kept on a premises where they have contact with the public (e.g. cattle on ‘open farms’). | Private TB surveillance in bovine and non-bovine animals (domestic or wild), as part of a voluntary zoo health management programme – including where this forms part of a zoo’s “Balai” or “Confined Establishment” approval. |
Targeted, ad hoc surveillance of any non-bovine farmed species that may be kept in zoos, such as camelids, deer, goats, sheep and pigs, where required by APHA following suspicion or confirmation of M. bovis infection, or disclosure of an epidemiological link with an infected (TB breakdown) herd. |
Pre-export testing where this is required by an importing country for a live non-bovine animal export. |
Private testing of wild mammals voluntarily undertaken by a zoo to support the revocation of TB movement restrictions and, if appropriate, regain “Balai” or “Confined Establishment” approval status. |
Table: Example of statutory and non-statutory bovine TB testing
Prior to completing the OCQ(V) – TT for the first time or when due to revalidate, veterinary surgeons should check whether the qualification is required for the work that they intend to carry out.
If further clarification is required for specific circumstances, OVs should contact the APHA OV team.
1 The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) Order 2021, The Tuberculosis (Scotland) Order 2007 (as amended), Tuberculosis in Specified Animals (Scotland) Order 2015, The Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 (as amended) and The Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2011 (as amended). Animals covered by the TB Order(s) are: in England: bovine animals, deer, camelids, domestic pigs, sheep or goats; in Wales: bovine animals, deer, camelids or goats; in Scotland: bovine animals, deer, goats, pigs, sheep, alpacas, guanacos, llamas or vicuñas.
2 In the case of deer, in England, Wales and Scotland OCQ(V) TT qualification is not required for non-statutory skin testing for bTB in a zoo but is required outside of a zoo (e.g. on a farm setting). However, you do need to send a completed form, “Request to Test - TB Testing of Non-bovine Species (TN184)” to APHA, which requires you to outline your competence, experience and training in testing the species you are intending to test.
3 In England “bovine animal” is defined as “domestic cattle of the genus Bos, as well as captive bovines of the genera Bubalus and Bison”, in Scotland as “domestic cattle of the genus Bos, Bubalus bubalis or Bison bison” and in Wales as “domestic cattle of the genus Bos, buffalo or bison”.