COUNCIL  DECISION
of 25 September 1989
designating a reference laboratory for the identification of foot-and-mouth disease virus and determining the functions of that laboratory
(89/531/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 85/511/EEC of 18 November 1985 introducing Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease (1), and in particular Article 11 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas the measures provided for in Article 11 of Directive 85/511/EEC require the designation of a reference laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease virus identification; whereas it is also necessary to determine the functions and duties of such a laboratory together with the detailed rules by which the coordination of standards and methods of diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease in each Member State shall be achieved;
Whereas the reference laboratory will build up, store and supply when necessary to the national laboratories, diagnostic agents so that diagnosis in the said national laboratories is carried out in a uniform manner; whereas the reference laboratory must organize comparative trials, carry out further training of experts, and develop data and information systems for the use of the Commission and the Member States;
Whereas the reference laboratory must operate under conditions of strict disease security; whereas the laboratory will formulate guidelines for the said security in the respective national laboratories;
Whereas in respect of the reference laboratory a contract will be drawn up providing for appropriate financial support from the general budget of the European Communities,
Liaison between the national laboratories in the field of diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease and the implementation of the reference functions for identification of the foot-and-mouth disease virus shall be carried out by 'The Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, England, hereinafter referred to as the 'reference laboratory'.
The functions and duties of the reference laboratory designated in Article 1 shall be:
1. to ensure liaison between the laboratories of the Member States with regard to the standards and methods of diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease, and differential diagnosis, where necessary, in each Member State specifically by:
(a) receiving field samples from Member States and certain third countries with a view to determining their identity;
(b) typing and full strain characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus from the samples referred to in point (a) and communicating the results of such investigations without delay to the Commission and the Member State concerned;
(c) building up and maintaining an up-to-date collection of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains;
(d) building up and maintaining a collection of specific sera against foot-and-mouth disease virus strains;
2. to support the functions of national laboratories, and in particular by:
(a) storing and supplying to the national laboratories cell lines for use in diagnosis together with virus and/or inactivated antigens standardized sera and other reference agents;
(b) organizing and operating periodic comparative trials on foot-and-mouth disease diagnosis at Community level and the periodic transmission of the results of such trials to the Commission and the Member States;
3. to provide information and carry out further training, in particular by:
(a) gathering data and information on the methods of diagnosis and differential diagnosis used and the distribution of such information to the Commission and the Member States;
(b) making and implementing the necessary arrangements for the further training of experts in laboratory diagnosis with a view to harmonizing diagnostic techniques;
(c) organizing an annual meeting where representatives of the national laboratories may review diagnostic techniques and the progress of coordination.
1. The reference laboratory shall operate according to recognized conditions of strict disease security as indicated in 'Minimum standards for laboratories working with foot-and-mouth disease virus in vitro and in vivo' - European Commission for the control of foot-and-mouth disease - 26th session, Rome, April 1985.
2. The reference laboratory shall formulate and recommend the disease security measures to be taken by the national laboratories in matters of foot-and-mouth disease diagnosis, in accordance with the minimum standards referred to in paragraph 1.
Appropriations to cover the expenditure incurred in connection with the activities set out in Articles 2 and 3 shall be included in the general budget of the European Communities (section 'Commission').
A contract shall be drawn up between the Commission and those responsible for the reference laboratory to ensure that the activities referred to in Articles 2 and 3 are carried out.
The activities referred to in Articles 2 and 3 shall be restricted to a period of five years from the date of signature of the contract referred to in Article 5.
Before expiry of that period, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide whether the said activities should be continued or whether this Decision should be amended.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.