Vets: laboratory requirements for cattle
Updated 9 October 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cattle-testing-required-for-an-animal-health-and-welfare-review-and-endemic-disease-follow-up/vets-laboratory-requirements-for-cattle
Laboratory specifications
These laboratory specifications are the same for the animal health and welfare review and endemic disease follow-up.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) recommends that vets send samples to a laboratory listed here.
These laboratories meet one or more of the following specifications:
- ISO/IEC 17025 accredited
- UKAS accredited (UK accredited) for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) testing
A farmer will not be eligible for funding unless samples are tested at a laboratory that meets at least one of these specifications.
If you have a question about laboratories or are an accredited laboratory and want to be added to the list, contact the RPA.
Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays
Recommended laboratories
These are the recommended laboratories for the review and follow-up.
Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
BVD Testing
AFBI Stormont
Veterinary Sciences Division
Stoney Road
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3SD
Telephone: 02890 525 632
Email: bvd.testing@afbini.gov.uk
Website: www.afbini.gov.uk
APHA Penrith Veterinary Investigation Centre Merrythought
Calthwaite
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 9RR
Telephone: 03000 600012
Email: penrith@apha.gov.uk
Website: apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/surveillance/diagnostic/national-network.htm
APHA Starcross Veterinary Investigation Centre
Staplake Mount
Starcross
Devon
EX6 8PE
Telephone: 03000 600020
Email: starcross@apha.gov.uk
Website: apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/surveillance/diagnostic/national-network.htm
APHA Weybridge Veterinary Investigation Centre
Woodham Lane
New Haw
Addlestone
KT15 3NB
Telephone: 03000 600022
Email: lab.services@apha.gov.uk
Website: apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/surveillance/diagnostic/national-network.htm
Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd
Manor House
Brunel Rd
Newton Abbot
TQ12 4PB
Telephone: 01626 355655
Email: admin@axiomvetlab.co.uk
Website: axiomfarm.com
Biobest Laboratories
6 Charles Darwin House
The Edinburgh Technopole
Milton Bridge
EH26 0PY
Telephone: 0131 440 26 28
Email: enquiry@biobest.co.uk
Website: biobest.co.uk
Cambridge Clinical Laboratories (CCL)
Park House
Winship Road
Milton
Cambridge
CB24 6BQ
Telephone: 01223 395450
Email: bvd@camclinlabs.co.uk
Website: www.camclinlabs.co.uk
Cattle Information Service
Speir House
Stafford Park 1
Telford
Shropshire
TF3 3BD
Telephone: 01923 695319
Email: info@thecis.co.uk
Website: www.thecis.co.uk
FarmLab Diagnostics
Emlagh Lodge
Elphin
Co Roscommon
F45 VW89
Telephone: 071 963 0792
Email: info@farmlab.ie
Website: www.farmlab.ie
National Milk Laboratories (NML)
Laches Close
Calibre Business Park
Four Ashes
Wolverhampton
WV10 7DZ
Telephone: 01902 749920
Email: milk@nmrp.com
Website: www.nmr.co.uk
SRUC Veterinary Services
Health Schemes
Greycrook
St Boswells
Roxburghshire
TD6 0EQ
Telephone: 01835 822456
Email: healthschemes@sruc.ac.uk
Website: www.sruc.ac.uk
Wales Veterinary Science Centre
Buarth
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1ND
Telephone: 01970 612374
Email: enquiries@wvsc.wales
Website: www.wvsc.wales