Laboratory network
The EURL currently coordinates the EU National Reference Laboratory (NRL) networks for African horse sickness and Bluetongue. These have to fulfil a number of tasks and functions according to EU legislation (Regulation 2017/625 EC). Since 2000, and annually for the last 15 years, the LCV has organised a Proficiency Test for the harmonisation of serological and molecular diagnostic tools for African horse sickness. Since 2019, the LCV has added the tasks and functions of the EURL for Bluetongue, maintaining the network of laboratories created by the former EURL.
In compliance with the EURL responsibilities, the lists of EU-NRLs for Bluetongue and African horse sickness are available at the following links:
List of LNRs-UE for African Horse Sickness
However, for the diagnosis and control of the diseases, the greatest international cooperation is necessary. Therefore, EURL works closely with laboratories in third countries, including especially countries with a special agreement with the EU, candidates or potential candidates for EU membership and countries geographically neighbouring the EU, but also with laboratories in other regions of the world.
In addition to ad hoc collaborations on specific topics, EURL invites all these laboratories to participate in its annual Proficiency Tests and provides procedures and reference material for the development of diagnostic techniques. International experts in the diagnosis of these diseases are also invited to the working meetings organised by the EURL to share relevant developments in disease control.
The EU-NRLs have access to a private area (CIRCAB), where the EURL makes available to them relevant documents, such as validation reports, proficiency testing reports, diagnostic procedures, diagnostic reagent control reports, lists of contact persons of other laboratories, etc. The rest of the collaborating laboratories from third countries will also be attended by the EURL by e-mail.
Private area (CIRCAB) is accessible only to EU-NRLs. 