ANNEX IIResponsibilities and tasks of the EU reference laboratory for bovine tuberculosis, additional to those laid down in Article 32(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004

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:

  1. (a)

    typing, storing and supplying strains of Mycobacterium sp. causing tuberculosis in animals;

  2. (b)

    preparing, controlling and supplying reference reagents to the national reference laboratories in order to standardise the tests and reagents used in the Member States;

  3. (c)

    validating reference reagents including antigens and tuberculins submitted by the national reference laboratories for bovine tuberculosis;

  4. (d)

    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;

  5. (e)

    organising periodical comparative tests of diagnostic procedures at Union level and operating laboratory proficiency tests of national reference laboratories;

  6. (f)

    collecting and collating data and information on the methods of diagnosis used and the results of tests carried out in the Union;

  7. (g)

    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;

  8. (h)

    keeping abreast of developments in bovine tuberculosis surveillance, epidemiology and prevention throughout the world;

  9. (i)

    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.