APHA Scientific > Services > Laboratory Testing > Animal feed testing

Animal feed testing

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been linked to the feeding of mammalian meat and bonemeal to cattle. As a result, legislation was introduced to ban the feeding of some processed animal proteins (PAPs) to animals to act as an important control measure to prevent the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

APHA is the UK National Reference Laboratory for animal protein detection in feedstuffs and provides testing services for Defra’s National Feed Audit.

Diagnostic tests

We offer several diagnostic tests:

Microscopic Analysis Test (MAT)

Culture

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

External Quality Assurance

If you carry out animal feed testing at your laboratory, APHA’s independent quality assurance unit, Vetqas, can provide proficiency testing/external quality assurance (PT/EQA) schemes for MAT and PCR procedures.

These schemes provide the necessary evidence to prove that your tests meet third party accreditation quality standards. Positive samples used in these two schemes are either bovine, ovine, porcine or avian meat and bonemeal. They are formulated using typical compound feed ingredients.

Our news

Keep up to date with the latest news and information from APHA Scientific

View all news

Welcome to Our New APHA Scientific Website

We’re excited to share our new and improved APHA Scientific website. This project reflects our commitment to providing a more modern, accessible, and user-friendly platform to our global commercial customer base.

Read the article Read the article

APHA Scientific at WAVLD 2025: Advancing Veterinary Diagnostics Together

We were pleased to attend the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (WAVLD) 2025 conference in Calgary, Canada, as a Silver Sponsor.

Read the article Read the article

APHA Scientific – Launch of PT-LIMS: Our New Laboratory Information Management System

We’re excited to announce the launch of PT-LIMS, our improved Proficiency Testing Laboratory Information Management System, now live for all registered customers.

Read the article Read the article

New price Lists Available for 2025–2026 Proficiency Testing Schemes & Biological Reagents

We’re pleased to announce the release of our updated price lists for the 2025–2026 contract year.

Read the article Read the article

VETQAS Terms and Conditions (T&Cs)

We want to let you know that our VETQAS T&Cs have recently been updated to reflect changes in business practices and legal requirements.

Read the article Read the article

APHA Scientific – Successful Accreditation Visit and Transition to New ISO Standard

In February, VETQAS welcomed assessors for our annual UKAS accreditation visit, a vital part of maintaining our high standards and commitment to quality.

Read the article Read the article

VETQAS Proficiency Testing – Help Us Improve with Our Customer Survey

VETQAS Proficiency Testing are always looking for ways to improve our services, and your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal.

Read the article Read the article

APHA Scientific attending AAVLD 2024

APHA Scientific business development team is exhibiting at the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians annual meeting which takes place on October 12 – 13, 2024 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, USA.

Read the article Read the article