APHA
Pre & Post Movement Testing
General Authorisation does not cover pre-movement testing on farms that are under TB movement restrictions
Under the current TB Orders in force in England, Scotland and Wales, TB testing can only be undertaken under the written consent of the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or Welsh Ministers respectively.
In order to facilitate the delivery of the pre- and post-movement testing requirements, a General Authorisation has been issued allowing OVs to perform testing for pre and post[1] movement testing purposes on the following basis:
• bovine animals are tested no less than 60 days after any previous tuberculin skin test
• the OV is satisfied that the herd from which the bovine animals are to be moved is not under TB movement restrictions, and
• having carried out such a test, the result of that test must be reported immediately to APHA
Full Instructions –OV Instructions: TB testing in bovines
Watery Mouth Survey
Researchers at the University of Bristol Veterinary School, as part of the award-winning Arwain DGC project, have launched an online survey to gather insight into the prevalence, treatment and prevention of Watery Mouth Disease in Welsh sheep flocks. They are calling for all Welsh sheep farmers, regardless of their experience with Watery Mouth Disease, to complete the survey and contribute towards this important research.
The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. All survey participants will have the chance to enter into a prize draw to win a Shearwell EID Reader Bundle, worth over £775 RRP.
Link to English survey: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/svs/watery-mouth-disease
Link to Welsh survey: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/svs/clefyd-y-geg-ddyfrllyd-ymhlith-wyn
Updated requirement for the nominated Supervisor for conditionally authorised OVs completing the OCQ(V)-TT.
As part of the OCQ(V)-TT process, candidates are required to nominate a supervisor for their practical training period. The nominated Supervisor must be an OV who also holds the OCQ(V)-TT qualification and who is experienced and confident to train the new OV.
The nominated Supervisor is responsible for the supervision of the OV during the practical training process. The instructions at present do not stipulate any previous audit requirements for the nominated Supervisor.
To align the supervisor requirements of both the OCQ(V)-TT and the OCQ(AHP)-ATT course, a new audit requirement will be introduced. The date of implementation for this change will be 01/06/2026 (6 months from the date of this briefing note).
All OVs who wish to act as a nominated Supervisor on or after 01/06/2026 must hold a fully compliant Veterinary Delivery Partner (VDP), APHA or Improve International audit within the two years prior to accepting the role. Where there have been multiple audits within that period, the last audit must have been fully compliant.
If there are any recorded non-compliances, an individual will not be considered suitable to fulfil the nominated Supervisor role.
Full Briefing Note –OV62 APHA Briefing Note
Non Bovine charts
We ask that all practices remember to copy Iechyd Da, when you forward the completed non bovine test charts.
We have been receiving numerous KPI failure due to the WSA’s not being closed.
Changes to UK Farmcare audit approach
As you will be aware the UK Farmcare TB Tester audits have always been based on a collaborative approach with both TB Tester and auditor working together to ensure the SICCT test for bTB is being carried out to the highest standards possible. If we have arrived on farm and seen any issues with testing, we have always aimed to discuss these with the TB Tester so any necessary changes can be implemented before we begin the marked section of the audit, where penalty points are applied if non-compliances are still present.
APHA have instructed us that from the 1st of January 2026 we must change this approach so that any non-adherence to any aspect of the TB Testing Standard Operating Procedures at any stage of the audit will be documented and penalty points awarded.
We are in the process of changing our audit materials and manuals to reflect this change ahead of the 1st of January deadline. We are also considering how we can best work with OV’s to minimise the impact of this. We appreciate in particular the implications for OVs wishing to supervise new ATTs as any non-compliance will mean an OV has to be re-audited with a fully compliant outcome before they can take on this role, a risk which we have flagged to APHA.
We will issue further guidance and updated audit materials in the very near future before implementation in January but for now we wanted to communicate the reason for this change to you as quickly as possible
