Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Westgate Laboratories Limited ("Westgate Laboratories", "we", "our" or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you use our website, purchase our services, or submit samples for testing.
We process personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA).
By using our website or our services you acknowledge that your personal information will be processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
2. Who we are
Westgate Laboratories Ltd provides laboratory parasite testing services and parasite control advice for horses, livestock, poultry, and other animals.
Data Controller, Westgate Laboratories Ltd, Middle Stobswood, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE61 3AZ
Company Number: 04700568
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01670 791994
3. Information we collect
Depending on the services you use, we may collect the following information.
Personal information
Name
Postal address
Email address
Telephone number
Customer account details
Communication preferences
Order history
Payment reference information
Animal information
Testing Services
To provide testing services and appropriate parasite management advice we may collect information relating to your animal including:
Name
Species
Breed
Age
Weight
Height (where relevant)
Health information relevant to parasite testing
Grazing and management information
Previous parasite treatments
Laboratory test results
Website information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect technical information such as:
IP address
Browser type
Device information
Website usage information
Cookie preferences
4. How we use your information
We use your personal information to:
provide laboratory testing services;
process orders and payments;
manage your online account;
administer subscription services;
issue laboratory results;
provide parasite control advice;
respond to enquiries;
improve our products and services;
maintain laboratory records;
comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
prevent fraud and protect our business.
Where you have given your consent, we may also send you:
routine testing reminders;
newsletters;
educational information;
information about products, services, and special offers.
You may withdraw your consent for marketing at any time.
5. Our lawful basis for processing
We process your personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:
Contract
To fulfil orders, administer customer accounts, provide subscriptions, and carry out laboratory testing.
Legal obligation
To comply with taxation, accounting, and other legal requirements.
Legitimate interests
To maintain laboratory records, improve our services, provide customer support, investigate complaints, prevent fraud, and ensure the security of our website and systems.
Consent
For marketing communications and certain reminder services where consent is required.
6. Service communications
As part of providing our services we may contact you by:
email;
telephone;
SMS;
post.
These communications are necessary to provide the services you have requested and are not considered marketing communications.
7. Marketing communications
Where you have chosen to receive marketing communications, we may send information about:
new products;
subscription services;
educational resources;
parasite control advice;
special offers.
You may change your preferences or unsubscribe at any time by:
updating your online account;
using the unsubscribe link included in our emails; or
contacting us directly.
8. Testing arranged by veterinary practices,merchants,and other business customers
Some of our laboratory services are provided on behalf of veterinary practices, retailers, merchants, and other business customers who offer parasite testing under their own brand.
Where your test has been arranged through one of these organisations:
- the veterinary practice, merchant or business customer is your primary point of contact;
- Westgate Laboratories processes your sample and associated information to provide the laboratory testing service;
- laboratory results will normally be returned to the organisation that submitted the sample or requested the testing;
- where available, authorised representatives of that organisation may also access the results through our secure online portal.
Both Westgate Laboratories and the organisation arranging the testing may process your personal information for their own legitimate business purposes. If you have questions about how that organisation uses your personal information, you should refer to their own Privacy Policy.
9. Laboratory records
We maintain laboratory records to:
provide historical test results;
identify parasite trends;
improve parasite control advice;
administer subscriptions;
investigate queries;
meet legal obligations.
Where possible, laboratory data used for research, education or statistical analysis will be anonymised so that individuals cannot be identified.
10. How long we keep your information
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary. Customer records are generally retained for up to 10 years after your last activity with us. This allows us to:
provide historical laboratory results;
support ongoing parasite management;
answer customer enquiries;
comply with legal obligations;
establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
Anonymous laboratory data may be retained indefinitely for research and statistical purposes.
11. Who we share your information with
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information where necessary with:
payment service providers;
cloud hosting providers;
IT support providers;
website software providers;
email and SMS service providers;
delivery and postal service providers;
veterinary practices, merchants, and other business customers who have arranged testing on your behalf;
professional advisers;
regulatory authorities or law enforcement where required by law.
All third-party service providers are required to protect your information and only process it for authorised purposes.
12. International transfers
Some of our service providers may process personal information outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK data protection law.
13. Data security
We take the security of your personal information seriously. We use a range of technical and organisational measures including:
secure Microsoft Azure cloud hosting;
encrypted website connections;
access controls;
password protection;
software updates;
secure disposal of paper records;
staff training.
Although we use appropriate safeguards, no method of transmitting or storing information electronically can ever be completely secure.
14. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to:
enable essential website functions;
remember your preferences;
analyse website traffic;
improve website performance.
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool.
15. Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
access your personal information;
request correction of inaccurate information;
request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances;
request restriction of processing;
object to processing where applicable;
request a copy of your information in a portable format where applicable;
withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights please contact:
Email: [email protected]
16. Data protection complaints
If you have concerns about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us in the first instance.
Email: [email protected]
We will investigate your concerns and respond without undue delay. If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
17. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be published on our website together with the date it was last updated.
Last Updated: 6 July 2026
Last Reviewed: 6 July 2026