Bovine TB testing under scrutiny

Planned changes to the way vets are allowed to conduct TB tests could have a dramatic impact on rural veterinary practices and fail to address quality control issues surrounding tests for bovine tuberculosis, University research has found. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) recently announced their intention to require veterinary practices in England to competitively tender for TB tests in specific geographical areas. Proposals from the AHVLA suggest their preferred solution is for a groups of veterinary practices to work together to bid for testing contracts. Research by Gareth Enticott funded by the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC) suggests that these plans will have a considerable impact on the provision of rural veterinary services and may not deliver expected financial or quality benefits. Enticott, of the Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability Sustainability and Society, said: "Rural practices in some parts of the country have become hugely reliant on TB testing: it underwrites their ability to provide veterinary services in rural areas. Practices that miss out on a contract are going to suffer". The AHVLA's preference is for a network of veterinary practices to work together.