APHA
Test comments & Remarks
It has been noted to us that a large number of test submissions are being delayed due to random test remarks entered. This could be a single letter or a number. These details may be of use to you or your admin team however they should not be entered in the remark column. .
- t in the remark’s column for 4 animals
- sn in the remark’s column for 1 animal
- Numbers 1 to 10 in the remark’s column against 10 animals
- 888 against 1 animal in the remark’s column
- 8 against 2 animals in the remark’s column
Only enter remarks against an animal, when necessary, for example:-
- DNA Marking Tag references
- To alert APHA where signs of other disease were present.
- To alert APHA where cross-border Reactors were identified
Unfortunately, any test that includes remarks must be reviewed by an APHA vet, which is creating unnecessary additional work. You will see from the above examples that these remarks are of no real relevance for APHA. Please can OV’s ensure that the remarks column is used only when necessary.
Test comment box should only be used for information relating to the following. This box should not be used to request animals to be added.
If you cannot add an animal you need to submit the test as a Part test and then contact the OV helpline to rectify the issues.
Please only enter on of the following options in the comment section:-
➢ Significant changes to Customer details.
➢ Disease and welfare concerns.
➢ An explanation of “added animals” i.e. recently purchased
➢ Identification issues (e.g. significant numbers of animals with only one tag)
➢ Explanation of why animal has been given a non-standard identifier.
➢ Explanation of why animals were not tested (e.g. Lost ear tag/Cannot be located)
➢ Any other identification issues. Where applicable, ensure the ear tags of the affected animal(s) are noted
➢ If a Not Tested reason of “Advised by APHA not to test” has been used.
We have also requested the possibility of having “not presented at TT2” placed back onto the reasons list.
Please can you ensure that all datafixes are sent to APHA.cymruwales.samdatafix@apha.gov.uk & info@iechydda.cymru
ibTB aims to help farmers protect their cattle against bTB infection.
ibTB is an interactive tool mapping bovine tuberculosis (bTB) outbreaks in England and Wales over the previous 10 years.
The main information it displays is:
The registered locations of current bovine tb outbreaks.
The number of years for which herds in England and Wales have been free of bTB, the “health rating” view.
A summary of the bTB history of individual animals, the “eartag” search
BTV Report Cases
Iechyd Da has been approached by APHA on the possibility of carrying out BTV report cases as of 1st March 2026.
As a result we have requested that practices have at least one OV that holds the NDOT training for BTV.
Codes have been sent to the OV’s that have already shown interest. Can you please ensure that the certificates are forwarded to Iechyd Da on completion.
KPI Failures
Can we please ask that you all enter your tests in the correct time frames. Ensuring that all data is correct.
If you have animal queries for tags etc then please clip mark the animal and enter on SAM as WSAxxxxxx(number) followed by the clip mark.
Non Bovine
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
