APHA

Arranged Test details

In a previous newsletter we highlighted the need to complete the TT1 date and time along with testers name on SAM a minimum of 2 working days prior to the test. Many of our practices raised concerns to their percentages.

APHA have now confirmed that there is a defect on SAM that removes certain details.

We therefore ask if you know the details had been entered on SAM and have then disappeared please contact the office with exact test information.

Blood sampling without the conditional authorisation

A reminder to all Approved Veterinary Supervisors (AVSs) and Approved Blood Samplers (ABSs) on the importance of strictly following the instructions set out on Improve International, particularly in relation to conditional authorisation of ABSs. We have seen several cases where blood sampling has been carried out before conditional authorisation has been granted for an ABS.

It is important to emphasise that any samples taken before conditional authorisation will not count towards the training requirements for the ABS. This can result in candidates and their supervisors having to repeat work unnecessarily. To avoid this, both trainees and supervisors must ensure that conditional authorisation is in place before any blood sampling is undertaken.

The instructions can be found on the Improve International AHP website: Approved Blood Sampler instructions: England and Wales

PRMT on holdings under restriction.

Can we remind all OVs of the requirement to notify APHA when scheduling a Pre-movement Test (PRMT) on a holding that is under TB restrictions. Early notification is important to ensure appropriate oversight and correct interpretation is applied to the test.

When arranging a PRMT on a restricted holding, please ensure that APHA is informed at the point of scheduling, including:

• CPH
• Planned date of the PRMT
• Any relevant case context, where appropriate

Failure to notify APHA in advance may result in unpleasant situations when the test may need to be re-interpreted at Severe and not all animals are Clear.

If any OV is unsure whether notification is required in a specific case, please encourage them to contact APHA advice.

Updates

The TR586 Tuberculin skin test audit: Minimum requirements document has been updated to refer to testing records instead of paperwork. Refer to the Change notice on the document for further details.

The full details of this change are detailed in OV TB Testing Audit published on 9 April 2026

The best way of Passing on extra information to APHA from a TB test

If whilst testing you want to bring something to the attention of APHA, e.g., a clustering of results, or reasons why you can’t finish a test due to fractious animals, or the presence of non bovines such as camelids or goats etc.

Then either phone the case vet AND/OR email using

Apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk

The comments section on page 1 of a TB test report isn’t looked at for a long time

Complete your checklists!
Checklists and H & S forms

Can all practices please ensure that they are entering the checklists for completed tests. The checklist can be found on DEWIN under allocated tests.

This checklist provides valuable information to us for specific reports, time taken testing, amount of discarded unused vials.

We also value the H & S incident forms. We are well aware that all of you when testing will have a near miss of some sort. We really require these reporting so that we can collate and report back the most common reasons – two handed testing, bad handling system etc. The details of tester and farm do not get released in these reports.

If you have a near miss or incident we also request that you update the farm risk assessment form and save to DEWIN, this will ensure that any of your collogues are prewarned of any issues that may arise on test day.

If you need any training on the checklists then please contact the office.

Farmcare Manual update

UK Farmcare have updated the QA manual for Welsh practices to reflect changes made to bring it in line with the APHA TR586.  Changes as follows:

The Farmcare TB QA manual has recently been updated and the new version (12) is now available on Farminsights.

Please discard and previous versions you may have either in print or electronically.

The latest version can also be found on Dewin.