Institut für nationale und internationale Angelegenheiten der Pflanzengesundheit
At the Institute of National and International Plant Health Affairs, a testing laboratory accredited to ISO EN 17025:2018 is being set up and maintained as a national reference laboratory for quarantine pathogens in the field of nematology (excluding nematodes in forestry) to fulfil the reference function in the field of quarantine nematology (AGQN). For this purpose, a quality management system is established that regulates and monitors the work processes for the detection and identification of quarantine nematodes. Activities in this area include updating, expanding and adapting the internal test process documents (SOP), confirmatory testing of test samples from the plant protection services, participation in proficiency tests and workshops organised by the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) and regular participation in the DakkS assessment process. Furthermore, it is part of the tasks of an NRL to ensure the competence assessment of the officially designated laboratories in Germany in the form of proficiency tests organised by AGQN as well as the communication of information on the diagnosis of quarantine nematodes from the EURL to the officially designated laboratories in the form of working groups and training courses. In order to carry out these tasks, a collection of reference material is maintained and the procurement of reference material for further and newly emerging quarantine pathogens is coordinated by AGQN. Accompanying research is necessary for the establishment, validation and verification of test methods.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
