International accreditation for WC vet lab
In a major boost for market access for the province’s exports, the Western Cape’s veterinary laboratory has received international accreditation for its animal disease testing processes.
Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, will visit the team at the Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory in Stellenbosch today (22 April 2016).
During the visit, Minister Winde was presented with the South African National Accreditation System certificate recognising the lab as an ISO 17025 accredited veterinary laboratory. Last year, the facility received 184 233 samples and performed 201 614 analytical tests.
“In 2014, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries stopped its programme which approved provincial veterinary labs to test for controlled and notifiable diseases. This meant that our labs had to be accredited by SANAS and our veterinary services immediately started that process.”
The application for accreditation included testing for Brucellosis, Dourine, Influenza A Virus, Newcastle Disease Virus, Salmonella detection as well as Food Safety testing of imported and exported meat products.
The application included 18 test methods.
Officials from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) assessed the Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory for compliance with International Standards Organisation (ISO) 17025 standards.
Based on this assessment and follow up activities, the Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory was awarded SANAS ISO 17025 certification for eighteen analytical test methods, as well as the approval of 7 personnel as technical signatories.
The Western cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory has the largest scope of accredited analytical tests.
Minister Winde commended the veterinary services team for the achievement.
“This accreditation enhances the control of animals diseases. We can provide accurate, reliable and accredited results which our vets can use to make decisions about animal health and disease control.
SANAS ISO 17025 accredited laboratory results are accepted nationally and by the European Union. This is great news for the promotion of our exports to key markets. ”
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
