PSGHS: Could earlier testing save you stress?

When reminders for your MV/CAE routine blood tests are issued, you are advised to sample on or around the due date. Your health certificate remains valid for one additional month, allowing time for sample delivery and our processing period of up to 17 working days - helping to ensure your accreditation does not lapse. This grace period is not intended to extend your testing interval.

To protect your accreditation during the busy show and sale season, we strongly recommend leaving at least six weeks between sampling and the first date your certificate is required. This provides essential flexibility to carry out re-sampling if a small number of animals return positive results.

Many flocks traditionally test immediately after shearing in late spring or early summer, which can result in samples being submitted close to key sales or events—leaving minimal time for follow-up testing. Bringing your main test forward by around six months, into the quieter period after the autumn sales, can significantly reduce this risk. Earlier testing allows sufficient time for any necessary re-sampling and minimises the impact of temporary status changes.

If a single positive animal is identified, some flocks may qualify for rapid re-accreditation after six months. Managing this process during the quieter winter months can greatly reduce potential financial disruption compared to the peak summer season.

If you are considering adjusting your testing schedule, please contact us at healthschemes@sruc.ac.uk and we will provide the necessary submission forms.