Lay TB testing of Bovines
The Legislation
The Veterinary Surgery (Testing for Tuberculosis in Bovines) Order 2005 (Statutory Instrument No.2015 came into force on 15 August 2005.
The Order was introduced under Section 19 (4) (e) of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which allows Ministers, after consultation with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), to permit a minor treatment, test or operation to be carried out by people who are not veterinary surgeons. This Order specifies tuberculin testing of bovines as a test for the purposes of section 19(4) (e) of the Act.
The Order enabled the Animal Health Agency (previously the State Veterinary Service) to carry out a pilot programme designed to evaluate the possibility of allowing any suitably trained lay person to administer a TB test.
During the course of the pilot, Animal Health Officers of the Agency were permitted to carry out Lay TB testing of Bovines under the direct supervision of a Veterinary Surgeon. This involved these persons administering a comparative intradermal test, including the preparation of the site for injection, injection of tuberculin and measurement and recording of results. Interpretation of the results of the test were carried out by veterinary surgeons.
Background
The Government consulted publicly, in 2003, on proposals to introduce legislation that would permit TB testing by technical staff of the Animal Health Agency, and other non-veterinarians (i.e. Veterinary Nurses) employed by Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI) practices. In areas where there are few large animal practices, the introduction of lay testers would ensure sufficient flexibility to meet the expected increased demand for testing, and to help cope with present testing demands. There would be no obligation for practices to employ lay testers.
The Pilot Programme
The Animal Health Agency ran a pilot programme in England and Wales during 2005 – 6, which included training to determine the competence of the lay testers, and continuous evaluation with the help of supervising veterinary officers, the farmers whose animals were being tested, and members of the veterinary profession. The pilot was carefully monitored and took place under strictly controlled conditions.
The Pilot Report
The Animal Health Agency has published their report on the Pilot and the Government is in the process of considering whether to extend lay testing to other fully trained and competent non veterinarians. We are not in a position, at this time, to provide a timetable for the possible roll-out of lay TB testing, but any proposals will be the subject of full consultation.
A copy of the report is available here: Lay TB Testing Pilot - Pilot Report and Review 
(240 KB).
Page published: 23 May, 2008