Development of National Reference Laboratories in the European Union1 |
| |
| Authors: | P Müller |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Julius Kühn‐Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for National and International Plant Health, Stahnsdorfer Damm 81, D‐14532 Kleinmachnow, Germany;2. e‐mail: petra.mueller@jki.bund.de |
| |
| Abstract: | Since 2004 discussions on the need for greater international co‐operation and coordination between diagnostic laboratories have taken place at several meetings of the EU Heads of National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). Technical discussions on criteria for, and tasks and responsibilities of, National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) took place in a Commission Expert Working Group in September 2007. The meeting was attended by representatives from 13 Member States. The experts discussed the issues broadly and very actively and it was possible to elaborate an agreed Guidance Paper containing the main elements for the establishment of NRLs, including a priority list of individual pests for which such laboratories are needed. At their meeting in December 2007, the EU Heads of the NPPOs supported the establishment of NRLs as far as possible and where necessary. It was agreed that the Guidance Paper is a suitable common basis for the establishment of NRLs in the Member States and that it should be reviewed on the basis of the experience gained at national level. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
