ANNEX XIIU.K.
Tasks and organisational structure of the board of experts in monitoring water content in poultrymeatU.K.
The board of experts referred to in Article 19 is responsible for the following tasks:
supplying information on analytical methods and comparative testing regarding the water content of poultrymeat to the national reference laboratories;
coordinating the application by the national reference laboratories of the methods referred to in (a), by organising comparative testing, and proficiency testing in particular;
supporting the national reference laboratories in proficiency testing by providing scientific support for statistical data evaluation and reporting;
coordinating the development of new analytical methods and informing the national reference laboratories of progress made in this area;
providing scientific and technical assistance to the Commission, especially in cases where the results of analyses are contested between Member States.
The board of experts referred to in Article 19 shall be organised as follows:
The board of experts in monitoring water content in poultrymeat shall consist of representatives of the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (JRC) — Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development and of three national reference laboratories. The representative of IRMM shall act as the chairperson of the board and shall appoint the national reference laboratories on a rotational basis. The Member State authority responsible for the national reference laboratory selected shall subsequently appoint individual experts in monitoring water content in food to serve on the board. Through annual rotation, one participating national reference laboratory shall be replaced at a time, so as to ensure a degree of continuity on the board. Expenses incurred by the Member States’ experts and/or the national reference laboratories in the exercise of their functions under this Section of this Annex shall be borne by the respective Member States.
Tasks of national reference laboratoriesU.K.
The national reference laboratories listed in Annex XI are responsible for the following tasks:
coordinating the activities of the national laboratories responsible for analyses of water content in poultrymeat;
assisting the competent authority in the Member State in organising the system for monitoring water content in poultrymeat;
participating in comparative testing (proficiency testing) between the various national laboratories referred to in (a);
ensuring that the information supplied by the board of experts is disseminated to the competent authority in the relevant Member State and to the national laboratories referred to in (a);
collaborating with the board of experts and, if appointed to join the board of experts, preparing the necessary test samples, including homogeneity testing, and arranging appropriate shipping.