TB testing

[littleacorn]

We had a letter from DEFRA advising the date parameters for our first TB test - the letter was a little confusing to be honest - but I made the appointments with my vet practice.

I have now heard from the vet practice that they have cancelled our appointments as they have been advised that DEFRA are carrying out our test themselves - is this normal? Thanks

[Duncan MacIntyre]

DEFRA have always done a proportion of tests in any area themselves using their own vets. In our island situation they generally keep this to a minimum as they do not like travelling to an island and (allegedly) they do not want to take work from a small isolated practice. In some areas they may be using specially trained lay testers who are not vets - a bit controversial in the veterinary world.. So it is quite "normal" for some tests to be done by DEFRA staff - it is not an indication that either you or your vet has been singled out for some sort of special attention. They are also rumoured to be " supervising" some tests to make sure that we vets are doing it right, but I am not sure of details of that.

Duncan

[Duncan MacIntyre]

DEFRA have always done a proportion of tests in any area themselves using their own vets. In our island situation they generally keep this to a minimum as they do not like travelling to an island and (allegedly) they do not want to take work from a small isolated practice. In some areas they may be using specially trained lay testers who are not vets - a bit controversial in the veterinary world.. So it is quite "normal" for some tests to be done by DEFRA staff - it is not an indication that either you or your vet has been singled out for some sort of special attention. They are also rumoured to be " supervising" some tests to make sure that we vets are doing it right, but I am not sure of details of that.

Duncan

[littleacorn]

Thanks Duncan -your reply is much appreciated - seems that it is a new protocol on the part of DEFRA - my vet has just phoned (I left a message yesterday) to say DEFRA have decided that they will do all new herd checks from now on.