Accurate and timely disease diagnosis and pathogen identification are pivotal to prevention, control, elimination, and eradication of animal diseases. To advance these principles it is vital that valid, appropriate and consistent diagnostic procedures are applied to diseases affecting animals of all kinds, including aquatic, avian, terrestrial, domestic, wild, and exotic. A uniform process for animal disease diagnostics and pathogen identification, conducted by diagnostic laboratories that adhere to quality assurance and quality control programs, would contribute to the health and welfare of animals, and enhance public health and food safety.

The AVMA encourages USDA-APHIS-NVSL to provide leadership in implementing harmonized standards and to continue working with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and other agencies, organizations, and entities to develop a uniform process for animal disease diagnostics and pathogen identification, including:

1. Standardization and validation of diagnostic procedures, particularly those that have an impact on the regulation of the transport, export or sale of animals;
2. Monitoring laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs; and,
3. Certification of diagnostic laboratories to conduct specific assays that have a regulatory impact, such as the movement or sale of animals.