The WOAH and FAO have designated reference laboratories with scientific and technical expertise within the areas of animal health, public health and zootechnics to help prevent, control and eradicate major animal diseases. Descriptions of the roles of the reference centers/laboratories can be found below.

OIE Reference Laboratories

WOAH Reference Laboratories are designated to pursue all the scientific and technical problems relating to a named disease.
About WOAH Reference Laboratories

The Reference Laboratories are designated to pursue all the scientific and technical problems relating to a named disease. The Expert, responsible to WOAH and its Member Countries with regard to the disease, should be a leading and active researcher helping the Reference Laboratory to provide scientific and technical assistance and expert advice on topics linked to diagnosis and control of the disease for which the Reference Laboratory is responsible. Reference Laboratories should also provide scientific and technical training for personnel from Member Countries, and coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories or organisations, including through the Laboratory Twinning programme.

A complete list of OIE Reference Laboratories is available on the WOAH website.

OIE Reference Laboratories should:

  • To use, promote and disseminate diagnostic methods validated according to WOAH Standards;

  • To recommend the prescribed and alternative tests or vaccines as WOAH Standards;

  • To develop reference material in accordance with WOAH requirements, and implement and promote the application of WOAH Standards;

  • To store and distribute to national laboratories biological reference products and any other reagents used in the diagnosis and control of the designated pathogens or diseases;

  • To develop, standardise and validate according to WOAH Standards new procedures for diagnosis and control of the designated pathogens or diseases;

  • To provide diagnostic testing facilities, and, where appropriate, scientific and technical advice on disease control measures to WOAH Member Countries;

  • To carry out and/or coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories, centres or organisations;

  • To collect, process, analyse, publish and disseminate epizootiological data relevant to the designated pathogens or diseases;

  • To provide scientific and technical training for personnel from WOAH Member Countries;

  • To maintain a system of quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity relevant for the pathogen and the disease concerned;

  • To organise and participate in scientific meetings on behalf of the WOAH;

  • To establish and maintain a network with other WOAH Reference Laboratories designated for the same pathogen or disease and organise regular inter-laboratory proficiency testing to ensure comparability of results;

  • To organise inter-laboratory proficiency testing with laboratories other than WOAH Reference Laboratories for the same pathogens and diseases to ensure equivalence of results;

  • To place expert consultants at the disposal of the WOAH.

FAO Reference Centres

FAO Reference Centres for animal health are institutions designated by the Director-General to provide specific, independent technical/scientific advice on issues related to FAO’s mandate.
About FAO Reference Centres

 

One of FAO’s global missions is to provide field and technical support to its member countries to prevent or control major diseases of poultry, livestock and wildlife. FAO can better fulfil its obligations in promoting livelihoods and safeguarding animal health in partnership with institutions – academic, research, laboratories and others – that have expertise in areas such as veterinary diagnostics, vaccines, research, biocontainment, epidemiology and wildlife health. The Reference Centres designated by FAO are regarded as centres of excellence in providing scientific and technical expertise, diagnostic services, laboratory and field training, in coordinating research and developmental studies, and in contributing to FAO projects.

A complete list of FAO Reference centres is available on the EMPRES-i website.

Reference Centres are expected to provide assistance and expertise in:

  • preventing and detecting transboundary animal diseases, including zoonoses, and improving risk and disease management;

  • enhancing the understanding and analysis of factors that contribute to disease emergence, maintenance and spread;

  • supporting safer animal production, as part of economic development, food security, food safety and poverty alleviation efforts;

  • improving veterinary public health services;

  • guiding policies related to animal health.