1.The EU reference laboratory for bovine tuberculosis shall coordinate, in consultation with the Commission, the methods employed in the Member States for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis, in particular by:
typing, storing and supplying strains of Mycobacterium sp. causing tuberculosis in animals;
preparing, controlling and supplying reference reagents to the national reference laboratories in order to standardise the tests and reagents used in the Member States;
validating reference reagents including antigens and tuberculins submitted by the national reference laboratories for bovine tuberculosis;
building up and maintaining a collection of Mycobacterium sp. causing tuberculosis in animals, and maintaining a database of strains isolated across the Union including typing;
organising periodical comparative tests of diagnostic procedures at Union level and operating laboratory proficiency tests of national reference laboratories;
collecting and collating data and information on the methods of diagnosis used and the results of tests carried out in the Union;
characterising Mycobacterium sp. causing tuberculosis in animals by the most up-to-date methods available to allow a greater understanding of the epidemiology of that disease;
keeping abreast of developments in bovine tuberculosis surveillance, epidemiology and prevention throughout the world;
acquiring a thorough knowledge of the preparation and use of the products of veterinary immunology used to eradicate and control bovine tuberculosis including the evaluation of vaccines.