The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the news that the Welsh government has approved the use of Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs) in private practice in Wales.
The move follows the decision to expand ATT capacity in England following a pilot scheme by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Under the scheme, any lay TB tester authorised by APHA from October 1 will receive authorisation to work in both England and Wales.
Existing testers in England will also be permitted to work in Wales subject to additional training.
BVA’s Welsh branch is now engaging with government to implement the roll-out.
Welcoming the move, BVA Welsh branch president Collin Willson said:
“This is good news. The veterinary workforce in Wales has been universally stretched, including farm animal practices, and so the expansion of tuberculin skin testing capacity is a much-needed resource.
“In the British Veterinary Association’s joint response with BCVA to the Defra consultation on this issue in 2018, we acknowledged the useful role appropriately trained and regulated lay TB testers could play as part of a veterinary-led team.
“We are reassured to see the new provisions lay down a requirement for all paraprofessionals to work within a vet-led team and meet strict veterinary supervision requirements.
“We are now engaging with the Welsh government and other stakeholders to roll-out an effective provision across Wales.”
According to the latest figures published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), rates of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) have continued to decline across England and Wales.
The total amount of animals slaughtered due to bTB in England from July 2021 to June 2022 decreased by 20% from the previous year to 24,398 animals.
In Wales, the total number of slaughtered animals decreased by 16%. The number of slaughtered animals now stands at 9,713.
