2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
As indicated in section 3.9.2, in the plant health domain, no network of EU and National Reference
Laboratories currently exists – unlike the animal health and food safety domains where legal
obligations for such laboratories are in place. Also, laboratories in the plant health sector do not have
legal basis to demand accreditation, as foreseen for laboratories in the animal health and food safety
fields by Reg. 882/2004, and this – in view of an expert – created a legal vacuum to take actions in this
sector.
In recent years there has been support for the option to establish NRLs to focus on some pests. Since
2004 there have been discussions between the Chief Officers Plant Health and the EPPO on improving
international cooperation and coordination between diagnostic laboratories. In order to promote
harmonisation, reliability and efficiency of diagnostic work and laboratories activities, the COPHS
concluded that criteria, tasks and responsibilities of NRLs should be determined. A commission Expert
Working Group was set up in July 2007 and in September 2007 a Commission Expert WG developed a
Guidance paper containing the main elements for the establishment of NRLs and criteria to this effect.
The Guidance document was accepted by the heads of NPPOs in December 2007 301 (‗Madeira‘
declaration).
The Guidance paper formulated conclusions on the following points:
1. Reasons for the establishment of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs);
2. Tasks of NRLs;
3. Main criteria for, and possible requirements, of NRLs required to ensure that the tasks can be
performed; and
4. Priority list of individual pests or groups of pests for which NRLs are needed.
Among the main criteria listed under point 3, the Guidance Paper established that the NRLs should
follow relevant EPPO standards (PM 7/84: Basic requirements for quality management in plant pest
diagnosis labs), use diagnostic methods according to ISPM no. 27 (Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated
Pests), and have final aim to be accredited according to ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005. The
EUPHRESCO initiative is working on the basis of these principles. Some new detection techniques and
ring testing are developing from this work already.
In particular, with reference to issue 4, four criteria were established to decide for which pests NRLs
should be encouraged. The pests should:
Have specific regulation for control (e.g. EU control Directives) and/or official monitoring;
Require regular official testing;
Require complex and specific diagnostic tests/procedures; and
Have a severe impact (currently or potentially) on plant health and trade.
The Guidance paper also identified some organisms, for which NRLs should at least be established, as
follows:
301 The establishment of NRLs is however on a voluntary basis.
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 372