The European Commission designated the European Union Reference Laboratory for Bee Health in 2011 (publication in the official European Union Official Journal dated from 2^nd. February 2011).

To date, the European network for Bee Health gathers 26 European National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). The map below presents the different EU NRLs. In addition to the European NRLs, other NRLs from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  are involved in this network.

As laid down in the Regulation (EU) No 415/2013, the EURL has responsibilities and tasks particularly towards the EU NRL network. It shall ensure availability and use of high quality methods and ensure high quality performance by the NRLs. It shall also provide scientific and technical assistance to the NRLs.

The proficiency test organised by the EU RL in 2019 will be on the identification of Paenibacillus larvae, the American foulbrood agent, by microscopic examination in crushed honeybee larvae. The proficiency test will be organised in March 2019 and it will aim at evaluating the conformity (specificity and sensitivity) of the results obtained using the method routinely used in the participating laboratories for the diagnosis of American foulbrood.

The deadline for registration is 15^th. February 2019.

We remind that these proficiency tests are mainly intended for the National Reference Laboratories and the Official Laboratories of the European Union. If other laboratories are interested in participating in a proficiency test, please contact eurl.bee@anses.fr for more information.