Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory: Services and accreditation

The Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL) is the veterinary laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

BSL performs diagnostic testing services for infectious agents, toxins and other causes of disease in animal samples. Our focus is on significant livestock and aquatic disease investigations, diseases of concern to public health and wildlife management.

Samples may be submitted by:

• private or industry veterinarians
• Biosecurity Queensland staff (veterinarians, biosecurity inspectors, researchers)
• some farmer groups (such as fish or prawn farmers).

Our activities include:

• monitoring and diagnosing diseases
  • in Queensland's livestock industries
  • of farmed aquatic animals
  • of wildlife in cases of mass or unusual mortality
• participating in animal disease surveillance programs including
  • the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Assurance Project (TSEFAP) to maintain Australia’s freedom from BSE and scrapie
  • the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP), which monitors the distribution of insect-borne viruses to ensure market access for livestock
  • the Screw-Worm Fly Surveillance and Preparedness Program (SWFSPP) for early detection of screw-worm fly which is an insect pest of warm-blooded animals
• testing for health certification of animals for export, and for control of endemic animal diseases.

Priority diseases we focus on include:

• Foot and mouth disease in livestock
• Lumpy skin disease in cattle
• Japanese encephalitis in pigs
• African swine fever in pigs
• Influenza in birds and pigs
• African horse sickness in horses
• Ehrlichia canis in dogs
• White spot disease in prawns.

We also provide a critical service in diagnosing and managing emergency terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases. Past examples of this include equine influenza and white spot disease.

BSL quality system (NATA accreditation no 13389)

BSL complies with the international standard for the competence of testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025:2017). Our compliance is assessed by accreditation by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). This accreditation provides confidence that we provide consistent, accurate and scientifically valid testing by technically competent staff.

We are accredited in the field of animal health for the following classes of test:

• anatomical and aquatic pathology
• bacteriology, including mycology
• molecular testing
• necropsy services
• parasitology
• serology of infection
• virology.

Our scopes of NATA accreditation cover our 2 laboratories:

• the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory – BSL scope of NATA accreditation
• the Tick Fever Centre – TFC scope of NATA accreditation.

This means we:

• comprehensively validate or verify our test methods and equipment
• fully train our staff, and further develop and test their competency e.g. through formal national and international proficiency-testing programs
• regularly review laboratory capability to further develop our scope of testing
• have a strong customer focus and value your feedback
• strive for continuous improvement and world-best scientific practice
• have comprehensive systems for
  • regular internal auditing
  • traceable sample and paperwork movements and records
  • equipment checks and calibrations
  • corrective and preventative action
  • control over scientific chemicals, kits, and consumables
  • data and reporting and document control.

Our commitment to quality is outlined in our quality assurance policy statement (PDF, 55KB).

Feedback

We welcome your feedback, including suggestions, complaints, and compliments. Contact us by:

• Email: bslclo@daf.qld.gov.au
• Phone: (07) 3708 8762.

Also consider…

• Find information on submitting samples to BSL.
• For a disease and pest diagnostic service to help improve crop productivity, read more about Grow Help Australia.