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Biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses or prions are
present in food, in particular in products of animal origin.
Salmonella in poultry, Listeria monocytogenes in milk products,
ASP in live molluscs, BSE from cattle pose serious risks
to public health. In order to co-ordinate detection and monitoring
of certain biological hazards efficiently, the Commission
created a network of "National Reference Laboratories" co-ordinated
by "Community Reference Laboratories (CRL)", responsible for
setting up EU-wide standards for testing, routine procedures
and reliable testing methods.
The Community Reference Laboratories
with scientific and technical expertise within the areas of
animal health, public health and zootechnics have been designated
in a number of Decisions, Directives and Regulations. Within
the framework of Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure
in the veterinary field of 26 June 1990, these laboratories
may receive Community financial aid for fulfilling duties
and functions specified in Council legislation.
As regards the veterinary public health
sector, the following CRLs have been designated in the area
of biological risks:
Community Reference Laboratories
in the area of public health :
- Milk and milk products (Council Directive 92/46/EEC of 16 June 1992, Art. 28, Annex D);
- Salmonella (Commission Decision 2004/564/CE of 27 July 2004, Article 2);
- Marine biotoxines (Council Decision N° 93/383/EEC of 14 June 1993, Articles 3 and 4);
- Bacteriological and viral contaminants of molluscs (Council Decision 1999/313/EC of 29 April 1999, Articles 3 and 4);
- Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Regulation (EC) 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001, Annex X, Chapter B).
List of CRLs responsible for Biological Risks &
Workprogrammes for 2005
updated 18 January 2005
Workprogrammes for 2004
Workprogrammes for 2003
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