Three more veterinary labs in China were designated as OIE Collaborating Centers or a Reference Lab on May 29th, 2014 at the 82nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) held in Paris.
The General Session adopted a resolution specifies that the National Diagnostic Center for Exotic Animal Diseases under China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (CAHEC) of Ministry of Agriculture of China was designated as an OIE Reference Lab for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR); the Key Lab for Zoonoses of Institute of Zoonoses under Jilin University was added to the list of OIE Collaborating Center specializing in Food-Borne Parasites; the National Animal Quarantine Institute of CAHEC was accredited as a multi-national OIE Collaborating Center for Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, jointly undertaking due responsibilities for the Asia-Pacific Region with EpiCentre under Massey University of New Zealand.So far, there are 12 OIE-recognized Reference Labs and 3 Collaborating Centers in China.
"The designation demonstrates growing worldwide recognition to the technical capacity of Chinese veterinary labs." stated Mr. Zhang Zhongqiu, China's Delegate to OIE and Director-General of MOA Bureau of Veterinary Service. MOA will actively support relevant institutions in fulfilling their mandates as OIE Collaborating Centers or Reference Labs, and will encourage domestic research institutes' greater participation in international cooperation. It is believed that the designation will promote the integration of Chinese veterinary labs into international practices, and enhance China's international influence in veterinary affairs.
OIE Collaborating Centers and Reference Labs are to provide technical support to animal disease control, veterinary public health service, standard-setting for animal product trade, etc.. They are authoritative and predominant in setting standards for global animal disease control and safe animal products.