The Department of Agriculture works with governments, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and private and university animal health laboratories to establish, implement and monitor professional and technical standards for all veterinary laboratories in Australia.
Through best practice veterinary laboratory services we seek to:
- sustain and improve the quality of Australian livestock and livestock products
- assure market access for Australian exporters of farm and fisheries products.
Publication of standard laboratory procedures is an integral component of best practice. The department maintains:
- lists of diagnostic procedures (current and those in development)
- contact details for reference laboratories.
Subcommittee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards
The Animal Health Committee (AHC) Subcommittee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS) provides technical advice to the AHC on terrestrial animal health laboratory issues. With administrative support from our department, SCAHLS coordinates a number of essential laboratory functions agreed by AHC to support Australia’s national animal health system.
SCAHLS has a key role in supporting the AHC in monitoring the implementation and progress of the National Animal Health Diagnostics Business Plan 2021-2026, which aims to help maintain and improve Australia's national diagnostic capability and capacity for terrestrial animals.
See also:
- Animal Health Committee (AHC)
- Aquatic animals imports published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Australian National Quality Assurance Program (ANQAP) — an international proficiency testing programme for veterinary, aquatic and plant health laboratories
- Containment standards for facilities handling aquatic animal pathogens published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA)
- OIE Laboratory twinning
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)