TITLE IIIREFERENCE LABORATORIES AND REFERENCE CENTRES

Article 95Designation of F5national reference centres for animal welfare

1

The F2appropriate authority must make regulations designating national reference centres for animal welfare to support activities in relation to the application of the rules referred to in point (f) of Article 1(2).

2

The designations provided for in paragraph 1 shall:

a

follow a public selection process; and

b

be limited in time or reviewed regularly.

3

F3National reference centres for animal welfare shall:

a

act impartially as regards the exercise of their tasks as F4national reference centres;

b

possess a high level of scientific and technical expertise in human-animal relationship, animal behaviour, animal physiology, animal genetics, animal health and nutrition related to animal welfare, and animal welfare aspects related to the commercial and scientific use of animals;

c

have suitably qualified staff with adequate training in the areas referred to in point (b) and in ethical issues related to animals and support staff as appropriate;

d

possess, or have access to, the infrastructure, the equipment and products necessary to carry out the tasks assigned to them; and

e

ensure that their staff have good knowledge of international standards and practices in the areas referred to in point (b) and that the latest developments in research at nationalF1... and international level, including studies performed and actions undertaken by other F6... reference centres for animal welfare, in those areas are taken into account in their work.