Proficiency testing is an important mechanism for animal health diagnostic laboratories to test and improve their capabilities. Testing conducted by such laboratories helps underpin national health and quarantine programmes, and also plays an important role in facilitating international trade.
Participation in a recognised proficiency testing program is usually a requirement for formal laboratory accreditation. However, there is currently very limited access to proficiency testing programs for aquatic animal health laboratories in Asia. The NACA Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health has previously noted that ad hoc proficiency testing programs have been run for a limited selection of diseases and countries, but there is limited or no access to any on-going laboratory proficiency testing programs.
Asia is the largest producing region in the world for aquatic animal products, including more than 90% of global aquaculture production by volume. In response to the need, a joint laboratory proficiency testing programme will be conducted for aquatic animal disease diagnostic laboratories by NACA, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australian National Quality Assurance Program (ANQAP), and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory of CSIRO. The programme is funded by the Australian Government, through DAFF.
