Introduction

An exciting new APHA-approved online training course designed specifically to help OVs carry out correct TB testing in camelids.

Currently the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) require OVs, who already hold the OCQ(V) - TT qualification and who wish to TB test camelids, to demonstrate that they understand the correct test procedure before permitting a test to go ahead.

This new training course has been developed with APHA approval, to give OVs the information they require to complete both private and statutory TB testing of camelids. It may be used towards their CPD record but there is no formal examination and it is not an OCQ(V) qualification.

The aims of this course are to:

• provide the background knowledge of the legal requirements and current policy related to TB testing camelids.
• give theoretical and practical guidance on how the TB test must be performed in camelids.
• describe the procedures which must be undertaken and the standards applied by the OV when undertaking TB testing in camelids.

Who should be completing this course?

There are no restrictions on who can enrol and complete this CPD course. However you must hold the OCQ(V) - ES (Essential Skills) and the OCQ(V) - TT (Tuberculin Testing) to be approved to conduct TB tests in camelids or other non-bovine species. In addition you must always request approval from APHA before undertaking a camelid TB test. Whilst taking this training does not guarantee your approval from APHA, it is very likely that this course will be sufficient to demonstrate suitable experience to test camelids and this training is APHA endorsed.

Cost

The cost of the course is £99 plus VAT. Log in to enrol.

Objectives

On completion of the course you should be able to:
Understand current Government policy in your area and across England
Know what to ask and how to ask it when addressing bTB biosecurity
Have confidence in using TBHub an ibTB
Understand the 5 point plan and how it applies to

• The data pack
• The farm walk

Appreciate CHeCS requirements and encourage farmers to sign up where appropriate
Know about the TB advisory Service and understand how to guide farmers to take advantage of this service.
To be able to construct a bTB biosecurity plan bespoke to each farm you attend

TB Farm Advice Workshops

These workshops have been developed to give the latest advice for farm vets on how their farm clients can protect their herds from TB.

The one day workshops are led by James Russell who is a Director of a mixed Practice in Cheshire and a BCVA Board member and Sue Hay, Head of Official Veterinarian (OV) Training at Improve International.

The content of the Workshops is relevant to farms which are not under TB restrictions as well as those who may have been living with TB for some time.

The workshop are classroom based in the morning and then the afternoon includes a farm walk where you will be able to apply the morning discussions to a practical situation. The farm walk will also be the opportunity to trial an app which has been especially designed to enable the details of the farm walk to be recorded and a report printed.

The workshops are accredited by ISVPS and deliver 9 hours of CPD. Each Workshop is supported with online material which includes precourse reading, a library of resources and a final exam.

Venues & Dates: No dates currently available

Tutors

James Russell graduated in 2002 from the RVC. He has been involved in the BVA VPG since 2010 and has been a Director of a mixed practice in Derbyshire since 2011. At the World Mycobacterium bovis Conference in 2014 James won the poster competition in the ‘Practical Control’ section. He lectures at Farmers’ meetings throughout the midland at the invitation of the NFU and sits on the Derbyshire TB Board. He takes an active interest in prevention of infectious diseases and this has led to his recently appointment to the BCVA Board.

Jo Wheeler joined the MAFF State Veterinary Service in 1993 after almost a decade in general mixed practice. This was at the height of the BSE epidemic. However, as the BSE cases fell they were replaced with a rising number of TB breakdowns. Jo became the Lead TB VO for Cornwall and experienced and implemented a number of different TB strategies before the Classical Swine Fever outbreak in Bury in 2000. She was heavily involved in the 2001 FMD outbreak working in East Anglia, Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria at various points and in various different roles. This gave her a taste for Field Epidemiology and she applied for and was selected to become part of a national group of Field Epi Vets. In this role she has been involved in outbreaks of Avian Influenza, FMD, Bluetongue, Anthrax and Equine Infectious Anaemia, whilst continuing to battle TB in “peacetime”. She was appointed to her new role as South West Field Epidemiology Veterinary Adviser in November of 2014. Inevitably being based in the South West she deals with bovine TB on a daily basis.