Scottish Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication scheme: consultation on phase five responses

Proposal 5 - Faster reporting of test results to the ScotEID database

The current BVD Order allows 40 days from date of testing for BVD results to be reported on the ScotEID database. The approved BVD laboratories have become more efficient at processing samples and uploading results since the start of the scheme. The laboratories have stated that 40 days for reporting results is now recognised as excessive; test reporting can normally be done in a much shorter time.

In the consultation we sought views on reducing the BVD test result reporting time to 5 working days.

Question 15: Do you think that the timescale for a BVD approved laboratory to report the result of a sample be reduced to 5 working days?

There was strong support for this proposal, with 87% of respondents agreeing that BVD results should be reported within 5 working days. Of those that disagreed or didn't know, 7% of respondents felt that the timeframe was too prescriptive and 6% were concerned about an increase in laboratory errors. One respondent pointed out the necessity to allow for the extra time needed if a sample requires re-testing for any reason.

Figure 16: Do you think that the timescale for a BVD approved laboratory to report the result of a sample be reduced to 5 working days?