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.
This will be outlined in an APHA OV Briefing Note in due course, but we wanted to let all our OV’s know as soon as possible so they can begin preparing for this change. 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.
