SRUC Vet Services | Thinking of joining PCHS?

About PCHS

The Premium Cattle Health Scheme (PCHS), run by SRUC Veterinary Services, is one of the largest Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHECS) licensed schemes in the UK. CHECS schemes oversee the protocols for controlling and eliminating infectious endemic cattle diseases in the UK and Ireland.

Membership provides an important framework for establishing the disease status of a herd, as well as guidance for reduction, eradication, and certification of freedom from disease.

We work in close partnership with vet practices and our member farmers and offer a cost-effective programme of testing and management to control Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Johne’s Disease, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Leptospirosis and Neospora, alongside the CHECS Bovine TB Herd Accreditation programme.

Controlling these major infectious diseases makes financial sense whether you are a pedigree or commercial beef or dairy farmer. Buyers of breeding replacements and Breed Societies are increasingly demanding stock sold with 'Certified Accredited' health status.

A health scheme you can trust

We've been running health schemes since 1998 and employ over 20 experienced vets, who are experts in identifying and reporting farm animal disease. We run a UKAS accredited lab, so you can be assured of quality service. Our team of specialist PCHS vets can support your vet and implement a programme of testing and biosecurity to help you eliminate and control diseases in your herd.

We offer:

CHECS certification and sale cards
fully interpreted results sent to you and your vet, with preferential testing rates
a well-maintained database, enabling you to keep track of your herd’s testing progress
pre-printed bar-coded labels for your vets, to prevent transcription errors
reminders when testing is due
an option to advertise on a PCHS membership database to thousands of potential buyers

How PCHS works

You can choose to become accredited for any of the following diseases: BVD, Johne’s Disease, IBR, Leptospirosis and Neospora, alongside the CHECS Bovine TB Herd Accreditation programme. Please ensure that you are familiar with CHECS biosecurity guidelines before applying.

Once you register, submission forms for annual testing will be sent automatically to you and your vet, alongside guidance, so that your vet can sample the appropriate animals and certify that biosecurity conditions are met. With your permission, we are able to send bar-coded labels for sampling, apart from BVD check tests where the vet will select the animals to test. For sample requirements please visit our member resources page.

PCHS will provide certificates once your herd achieves accreditation.

Join PCHS

PCHS membership is an annual subscription and we invoice you directly for the yearly lab testing at a discounted rate. Visit our member resources page for more information.

Price list

Member resources

Your submission form must be fully completed and signed by both owner/manager and vet. All application forms should be filled out and returned to: SRUC Veterinary Services Health Schemes, Greycrook, St Boswells, TD6 0EQ, or you can email the form to healthschemes@sruc.ac.uk.

PCHS application form

Direct Debit form

PCHS member resources

Detailed information and forms you may need as a PCHS member including scheme rules and guides, testing and submission forms, and price list.

Premium Sheep & Goat Health Scheme

Our PSGHS provide an important framework for establishing the disease status of a flock, as well as guidance for reduction, eradication and certification of freedom from disease.

Other health schemes

Including the SRUC Veterinary Services Scrapie Monitoring Scheme, the Shetland Islands Health Scheme, and Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association (HISHA) Scheme