Descrizione
The National Reference Centers, located at the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes, constitute an operational tool of high and proven competence, in the sectors of animal health, food safety and livestock hygiene.
Their functions, based on art. 2 of the Ministerial Decree of 4 October 1999, are aimed, among other things, at:
- confirm, when required, diagnoses performed at other laboratories,
- implement the standardization of analysis methods,
- start suitable interlaboratory circuits between Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes,
- use and disseminate official analysis methods,
- prepare intervention plans,
- collaborate with other European Union or international Reference Centers,
- provide the Ministry of Health with assistance and specialist information.
The National Reference Centers are true points of excellence for the entire national system and for the international organizations with which they are in contact.
The Reference Centers implement, through various forms of collaboration, cooperation programs to promote the development of advanced scientific skills in countries that wish to collaborate for effective technical-scientific growth.
The Reference Centers are a point of reference for international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Research projects funded by the Ministry of Health and by public bodies and private companies are implemented at these centers. Numerous agreements have been stipulated both at national and international level to promote the exchange of knowledge and researchers.
The Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of the Puglia and Basilicata regions currently consists of two Reference Centres: